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L Rodger Currie, RIP
When I flipped to the obituary page of today’s Globe and found myself staring into the eyes of the World War Two airman shown above, I just had to read the story. Imagine my surprise when I learned the deceased, L. Rodger Currie, was a “longtime dentist in Chelmsford” who was born in Lowell and graduated from Keith Academy in 1942. At age 19, he became one of the youngest pilots in the Marines and flew 105 combat missions during the war. After the war, he received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Anselm’s and his dental degree from the University of Maryland.
I don’t ever recall meeting Dr. Currie, and I’m sorry that he passed way, but I feel fortunate to have read his obituary
He lived an astonishingly full life. The older I get, the more impressed I am by the stories carried by the people of Lowell past and present.
So true Paul. As youngsters, we knew these people and although we had an appreciation we had no idea what they actually did for us and our country.
Interesting that two young men of Lowell – both 19 – one a graduate of Keith Academy the other of Lowell High School – raised nearly next door to each other on St. James Street behind the Sacred Heart Church – should become such highly decorated World War II combat flyers – one with the Navy in the Pacific theater and the other as a Marine in the Pacfic theater – both men of science. Rodger Currie and James Sweeney. More later.
Marie, I didn’t know Rodger grew up in the Grove. When I knew him he lived in the Highlands near Highland (Callery ) Park. Rodger was my Dentist in Chelmsford and Jim was my Boss when he was Plant Manger at Pellon. Both were great guys.! I would see Rodger on the Cape and he always loved to talk about Lowell. Interesting that Rodger’s father was a janitor at St Margaret’s Convent and Jim’s father, a Janitor in the Lowell schools.