Curtis Besinger

June 12, 1914 (age 85)

Stanberry, Missouri, United States

Besinger began his career as a draftsman, working with Joseph Radotinsky and other architects in Kansas City from 1936 to 1939. In 1939, he was appointed a junior apprentice at Taliesin Fellowship and had held the position for four years. There Curtis worked on construction projects, participated in musical programs, directed the chorus and assisted in the drafting room. During World War II, as a conscientious objector, he spent three years working on federal reclamation, wildlife and forestry-service projects in the Midwest and West in lieu of military service. Then in 1946, he became a senior apprentice at Taliesin Fellowship and worked on 37 projects. In 1955, Besinger was appointed an instructor at the University of Kansas. In 1957, he became an assistant professor and associate professor in 1959 at the same university. Also Curtis served as a professor of architecture at the University of Kansas from 1965 to 1984. From 1984 he was a professor emeritus at that university. In addition to his teaching career, in 1956, he held a position of a technical editor of "House Beautiful" and its architectural consultant in 1957-1965. Curtis also had an architectural practice, partly in association with Fritz (Fredric) and Fabi Benedict in Aspen, Colorado. He is specifically associated with the design of the Aspen Music School and Cooper-Hyman pedestrian mall.

Curtis Wray Besinger

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architect educator

Background

Besinger was born on June 12, 1914 in Stanberry, Missouri, United States; the son of John Wray Besinger and Kitty Cuma (Chilton) Besinger.

Education

Besinger received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Kansas in 1936.

Career

Besinger began his career as a draftsman, working with Joseph Radotinsky and other architects in Kansas City from 1936 to 1939. In 1939, he was appointed a junior apprentice at Taliesin Fellowship and had held the position for four years. There Curtis worked on construction projects, participated in musical programs, directed the chorus and assisted in the drafting room.

During World War II, as a conscientious objector, he spent three years working on federal reclamation, wildlife and forestry-service projects in the Midwest and West in lieu of military service. Then in 1946, he became a senior apprentice at Taliesin Fellowship and worked on 37 projects.

In 1955, Besinger was appointed an instructor at the University of Kansas. In 1957, he became an assistant professor and associate professor in 1959 at the same university. Also Curtis served as a professor of architecture at the University of Kansas from 1965 to 1984. From 1984 he was a professor emeritus at that university.

In addition to his teaching career, in 1956, he held a position of a technical editor of "House Beautiful" and its architectural consultant in 1957-1965. Curtis also had an architectural practice, partly in association with Fritz (Fredric) and Fabi Benedict in Aspen, Colorado. He is specifically associated with the design of the Aspen Music School and Cooper-Hyman pedestrian mall.

Achievements

Besinger was named the Distinguished Alumni from School of Architecture and Urban Design of the University of Kansas in 1978.

Works

Working with Mr. Wright: What It Was Like Working with Mr. Wright: What It Was Like

book
- Working with Mr. Wright: What It Was Like
  (Curtis Besinger provides a lively account of daily life i...)
  1995

Membership

Besinger was a member of American Institute of Architects, Society for Architectural Historians, Tau Beta Pi and Tau Sigma Delta.

Interests

music

Connections

Father:: John Wray Besinger
Mother:: Kitty Cuma (Chilton) Besinger

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Connections

book

Working with Mr. Wright: What It Was Like

Curtis Wray Besinger

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Works

book

Membership

Interests

Connections

Born

Died

Resting place

Nationality

Education

1936

Career

1936 - 1939

1939 - 1943

1946 - 1955

1955 - 1957

1956 - 1957

1957 - 1959

1957 - 1965

1959 - 1965

1965 - 1984

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