View Full Version : Standing Bear hostel
Lone Wolf
03-04-2015, 13:13
Curtis Owen, owner of Standing Bear passed on this morning. RIP. Semper Fidelis
Seatbelt
03-04-2015, 13:14
Sorry to hear this, I enjoyed meeting him.
volleypc
03-04-2015, 13:19
That is sad. When we went through we had someone sick with us and had to hold up there for several days. He was very hospitable towards us. I was hoping to get back that way soon to visit.
Slo-go'en
03-04-2015, 13:45
Wow, the place will not be the same without him. Curtis was definitely one of a kind.
Guess it's too soon to know the cause- he wasn't that old. The other question is if his wife will keep the place going. It would be a real blow to the trail if Standing bear were to close down.
He will be missed i stayed there on all of my hikes and he was a great guy, do you know if the Hostel will stay open or not.
So sad. I had talked to him earlier this year about staying there a night or two in my smokies section hike. I have heard nothing but great things about him. I wish I could have met him. RIP.
Speakeasy TN
03-04-2015, 14:26
Condolences to Maria..... Curtis was a good guy and Standing Bear is a great place. Please keep us informed.
Walkintom
03-04-2015, 14:33
He was very nice to my wife in 2012 when she came through and to both of us when we came through again in 2013. Sorry to hear about his passing.
Lone Wolf
03-04-2015, 14:45
Guess it's too soon to know the cause- he wasn't that old.
damn cancer got him
We weren't that impressed with the hostel but Curtis was friendly and treated us well.
Trillium
03-04-2015, 15:28
I didn't make it to Standing Bear but I had been looking forward to meeting Curtis this year. Condolences to his loved ones. May he rest in peace.
JeffBliss
03-04-2015, 15:30
Curtis had late stage pancreatic cancer. Passed away yesterday. RIP
msumax1985
03-04-2015, 15:35
Wow!:( Certainly a reminder to live every day to the fullest. We had a long conversation when he shuttled me into Asheville 2 years ago. Certainly seemed healthy and vibrant.
Old Hiker
03-04-2015, 15:41
Was an interesting place to visit - not my cup of tea, exactly, but Mr. Owen let me wash dishes in exchange for a washer load of clothes while I was waiting on the mail and a mail drop. Lots of books - had a nice discussion about them.
He had a lot of info for the next section of the Trail as well.
Prayers and condolences to the family.
Condolences to family, RIP Curtis.
saltysack
03-04-2015, 16:00
RIP
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CarlZ993
03-04-2015, 17:14
A 'colorful' place on the AT. The perfect location for a hostel. Sad to hear about his passing.
I understand that Curtis was suffering from pancreatic cancer. The services are planned for Dandridge, TN on Friday according to the Hostel.
I've known Curtis and his brother Ed for over 30 years. He was so kind to me and my family.
I wrote him just last week to let him know that I would be trekking through there in a few weeks; he wrote a quick note back stating that he would be on the look out for me. I was so excited to see him, Maria, and his family.
He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.
Godspeed Curtis.
rocketsocks
03-04-2015, 18:11
Condolences to his family and friends, RIP Curtis.
Buttcrack Johnson
03-04-2015, 19:30
Semper Fi, RIP brother, 21 gun Salute *********************
Maria, so sorry for your loss, Curtiss was one of a kind.
saltysack
03-04-2015, 19:37
damn cancer got him
How old was he?
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Lone Wolf
03-04-2015, 19:41
late 40s maybe?
Lone Wolf
03-04-2015, 19:44
late 40s maybe?55
http://www.newportplaintalk.com/obituaries/article_652751cc-c2c5-11e4-8f14-c33699e5df64.html
Biggie Master
03-04-2015, 19:56
I appreciate and respect his service to our country and to our hiking community. Prayers are with you Maria.
RIP Curtis. He was good to me when I was doing that section. Stayed there twice and shuttled with him. First in hearing of this. My condolances.
saltysack
03-04-2015, 20:27
55
http://www.newportplaintalk.com/obituaries/article_652751cc-c2c5-11e4-8f14-c33699e5df64.html
Thx...way to young....sad
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Rain Man
03-04-2015, 20:27
He was a gracious and great host whenever I was there and went out of his way to shuttle our vehicle for me and my wife on our 30th Anniversary hike starting there. Standing Bear Farm was a place I always had an appreciation for.
Condolences to Maria and the family. And thanks, Curtis, for your service to our country.
gollwoods
03-04-2015, 20:35
rip curtis. and semper fi
Hikes in Rain
03-04-2015, 21:26
Wow, that's terrible. I only met him once, but he left me with some great stories to pass on. He's the third one I lost this week; it does come in threes.
I shuttled with him 2 years ago, enjoyed talking with him. Some people didn't appreciate his humor, it takes all kinds of people. Curtis and family provides a great service to the trail.
When I was there, the only gentleman I met was Rocket. Was he someone different or indeed one in the same?
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Northern Lights
03-04-2015, 22:29
When I was there, the only gentleman I met was Rocket. Was he someone different or indeed one in the same?
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Two different people. Rocket works there and Curtis owned it
buddha_child
03-04-2015, 23:22
worked there a while back and this one hits me hard. was gonna visit at the end of the month...
thoughts go out to Maria and their kin.
rest in peace Curtis
30152
I was shocked to hear this very sad news. What huge loss for the AT community. After getting in touch with him by phone and email, I left my car at his place and stayed at SBF for a Smokies section hike in mid November 2013, and Curtis shuttled me from SBF to Fontana Dam before sunrise the next morning to start the hike. Really enjoyed getting to know him and talk with him on that ride, he shared a lot of stories and memories about his family, his life, and the Standing Bear Farm hostel. As a fellow vet, I could really relate to his humor and personality. He will be greatly missed. I'm attaching the last pic I took at SBF the morning I left there. One of my favorite places on the AT. Semper Fi Curtis
In rememberence, Semper Fi Curtis. Always remember sittin' on the front porch pickin' guitar with you and River. Little grey squirell ran up the hand rail, jumped on my knee, and spun a acorn . rip Broher.
So sorry to hear this. Was a good friend to the trail and MANY hikers. Had the pleasure of staying with him once several years ago - enjoyed the evening.
Condolences to his family and good friends.
takethisbread
03-05-2015, 08:10
I had differences with Curtis, but I respected him and thought the world of his wife, he was a good guy and really loved hikers. A huge loss to the trail community . RIP Curtis.
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Point Man Chef
03-05-2015, 09:25
So sad. Curtis gave me a shuttle a couple of years back and I had one scheduled with him this April 1. I only met him that one time but he was one to remember! The stories and interests we shared were great. I have never met someone for such a brief amount of time and remembered as much as I do about them as I do Curtis and the shuttle he gave me that day. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and to all that he loved and loved him. Peace...
sad news. The Standing Bear was/is a very unique place and Curtis somewhat of a true "trail legend". Due to its location, it was one place that probably 90%? 95%? 99% of hikers heading through the Smokies in either direction stopped by for a stay or quick resupply. I got a chance to visit a bit with him during a resupply and he was very gracious and kind (the story is too long to get into in this post).
RIP Curtis. You will be missed.
Cookerhiker
03-05-2015, 10:50
Very sad to hear of Curtis's passing. I stayed with him on a fall '04 section hike. What I remember the most was his calm, peaceful demeanor. Sympathy to his family.
Speakeasy TN
03-05-2015, 11:33
Thinking more about Curtis. In '10 I was brand new to the Trail community. My wife and I shuttled 2 hikers back to Standing Bear from Trail Days. My wife called Curtis a couple of times because we missed the turnoff and he was standing in the road looking for us as we drove up. The hikers we were with were deaf but the LOOK of happiness and welcome on his face and theirs is something I will always remember. I was very happy to stop there in '11 and will stop this year. Happy Trails Curtis
swamp dawg
03-05-2015, 13:12
Great guy, always ready to help out a hiker in need, you will be missed....RIP swamp dawg
Kerosene
03-05-2015, 13:27
Curtis helped me out quite a bit on my GSMNP section hike in October 2011, with 2 shuttles and information. It is so sad to see such light doused so much earlier than expected. RIP Curtis.
wornoutboots
03-05-2015, 15:52
RIP!! Good dude!! Good Memories!!!
JumpMaster Blaster
03-05-2015, 19:06
I saw him when I stopped through back in Nov last year. Such a shame. Semper Fi and condolences to the family.
I must confess, came with a cowboy novel. (as a pillow) And left with Patton.
Stayed there years ago and he an I stayed up most of the night drinking beer and talking about bluegrass music. He had a unique personality and was very much his own man. A true character, in the finest sense of the word. He will be missed and always remembered.
I understand that Standing Bear Hostel will remain open. I am sure Maria can use the hikers business.
Lone Wolf
03-06-2015, 19:30
just back from the service. it was a wonderful send off
smoothsailin
03-06-2015, 21:32
30166
I stayed at Standing Bear 4 yrs in a row. Two years ago when I stayed Curtis invited me up the his house to watch the weather.
He's was a friend to hikers, a businessman, and provided shelter for many.
He didn't care for whinners and cry babies. He always had great stories to share. He had the right amount of roughness to go with his kindness.
The Appalachian Trail will be a lesser experience without him.
-Smooth Sailin
Speakeasy TN
03-06-2015, 21:37
30166
I stayed at Standing Bear 4 yrs in a row. Two years ago when I stayed Curtis invited me up the his house to watch the weather.
He's was a friend to hikers, a businessman, and provided shelter for many.
He didn't care for whinners and cry babies. He always had great stories to share. He had the right amount of roughness to go with his kindness.
The Appalachian Trail will be a lesser experience without him.
-Smooth Sailin
That is a great picture! Always time to sit around the fire!
Jack Tarlin
03-12-2015, 17:56
Hey, just so you all know.......just got off the phone with a friend who's helping out there......Standing Bear is indeed open for the 2015 season, ALL services (Hostel; Maildrops; Re-Supply; Shuttles, etc.) are available. They're looking forward to a great hiker season, and I hope many of you get to visit and enjoy this wonderful place. And please pass the word if you're on other AT sites, there seem to be some folks who aren't sure about what's up. Thanx.
Undershaft
03-20-2015, 09:17
I am so sad to hear this news. Curtis was a great guy and a wonderful host. Standing Bear Hostel is one of the best places I have visited on the AT. I stayed there in May of 2011. I intended to stay for a few days to let a swollen ankle heal, but I loved it there so much that I stayed for almost three weeks. Curtis was a true Friend to Hikers and I am proud to have known him. I'm taking a trip down south in 10 days and planned to stay at Standing Bear. I was really looking forward to seeing Curtis again and experiencing the hospitality that he and his family provided. I have met hundreds of people in the 12 years I've been section hiking on the AT. Curtis V. Owen is one of only a few names and faces that I will never forget. His passing is a great loss for me personally and to the entire Appalachian Trail community. Rest in Peace my Friend, and may your family take comfort in the knowledge that countless hikers will remember and cherish the warmth and friendship you so freely gave to the world. Ave Atque Vale
Condolences to Maria and family. In 2012 the hostel and Curtis were a godsend. Semper Fi…. fair winds and following seas Brother.
"Nimbus"