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DELRAY BEACH — Robert “Bob” Gregor Currie, a proud resident of Delray Beach for 50 years, died Oct. 11 following a lengthy battle with cancer. He had turned 80 in July.
An architect by degree, Currie received his bachelor’s from the University of Minnesota and his master’s from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
Following years of travel and employment with the Boston-based Architects Collaborative, Currie settled in Delray Beach in 1969 with his wife and two children to join his father-in-law, Kenneth Jacobson, to establish Jacobson Currie Architects.
Over the years the firm changed partners and names, with Currie as the one constant. In 2008 he was joined by Jess Sowards and José Aguila to form Currie Sowards Aguila Architects.
Over the course of his career, Currie planned and designed virtually every building type, including religious, municipal, public assembly, residential, commercial office, hospitality and historical restoration facilities, in the United States and worldwide, earning 65 design awards along the way.
In addition, he taught at the University of Sydney (Australia), the University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University.
An active member of the American Institute of Architects since his career’s inception, he became his company’s principal designer. Under his direction, the company was named Firm of the Year 2000 by the Florida Association of AIA.
The Palm Beach Chapter of AIA recognized Currie in 2002 with the Gold Medal Award for his contributions to the architectural profession and again in 2005 as Architect of the Year. In 2008 he was elevated to fellow by the American Institute of Architects, the organization’s highest honor.
Though he was credited with the design of hundreds of South Florida buildings, his contributions to Delray Beach gave him the most pride.
Working with his friend, Old School Square project visionary Frances Bourque, Currie and his team were involved from 1990 onward in the programming, master planning, architecture and historic preservation of this cultural jewel.
Other architectural commissions included the South County Administrative Complex and South County Civic Center; Temple Sinai; the Ocean Avenue Bridge; Sundy House Restaurant; and more than 25 fire-rescue and public safety projects.
Beyond his commitment to planning and architecture, Bob was dedicated to civic involvement, serving on the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission; Delray Beach Public Library board; Old School Square Foundation board; Pineapple Grove Main Street board; and Delray Beach’s planning and zoning board, community appearance board and public art advisory board.
An international traveler, Bob visited every continent, returning with stories and drawings to depict the sites and cultures to which he had been exposed. He cherished the opportunities he had to visit international landmarks by land, sea and air, but what he loved most was returning to his architectural practice, friends and family and his Village by the Sea, Delray Beach.
Currie is survived by many family members and friends, including his three sons, John Currie, James Currie and Mark Currie, and their mother, Mary Currie. He is also survived by his grandson, André; his sisters, Barbara Joe and Betty Bauman; his brother-in-law, Bill Bauman; many nieces and nephews, and his longtime friend and companion Jean Naviaux and her children, Rhett Lewis and Christy Lewis.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Currie, and his parents, Leonard and Virginia Currie.
A funeral Mass was held Oct. 19 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, Delray Beach.  Entombment followed at the Boynton Beach Mausoleum and Cemetery.
— Obituary submitted by the family