Robert Joseph Curfman passed away in Denver, CO on October 13, 2004. He was born in Maryville, MO on August 27, 1920 to Roy J. and Edith (Petty) Curfman. He attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, OH. Upon graduation he attended Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, Conservatory of Music, receiving a Bachelor Music Education degree and then received a Master of Arts in Music from Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO. He studied Library Science at Washington University, St. Louis, MO.He enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve, was assigned to special duty Locator File, Headquarters, Classification and Assignment Section. He served in this capacity for two years in England, France, and Germany. After military service, he taught music in Wyoming, Illinois, Michigan, and at Baker University in Kansas.He authored three books on genealogy: The Petty-Pettis Genealogy, the Paddock Genealogy and The Curfman-Kurfman-Corfman-Korffmann Genealogy. He designed a coat of arms for the descendents of Johann Philip Korfman of Alzey and Stein-Bockenheim, Rheinhessen, and it was registered in Germany.He had articles published in prestigious genealogical publications including: The New England Historical and Genealogical Register; The American Genealogist; Forebears; The Colonial genealogist; The Augustan Society; The Genealogical Society of Vermont, and was a member of the fellowship from the Augustan Society, First Class Honora Causa for outstanding contributions to the field of genealogy and genealogical research. He did major research at the Genealogical Section of the Denver Public Library.Based on previous research at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., while at Colorado College he designed a clavichord and later designed and directed construction of a harpsichord.He composed several pieces of music including compositions for voice, organ, piano and stringed instruments. Some of his poetry he set to music.He requested no services be held. His ashes will be interred at Miriam Cemetery, Maryville, MO. He is survived by sister, Virginia L. and brother, John "Jack" Curfman of Fort Collins, CO, cousins, Janet (House) McKie of Redondo Beach, CA, Gertrude (Curfman) Yeary of Overland Park, KS, Joel B. Hayden of Farmington, MA and Jean (Hayden) Guarnaccia of Shelburne, VT. He was preceded in death by his parents, several aunts, uncles and cousins.Memorial contributions may be made to the Genealogical Department of Western History, Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO 80204.