Thanks for all your help, looks like I have to plan ahead and create enough curves upfront,
that's the tricky part :), just kidding.

Btw Brian, your suggestion looks interesting. Seems like you just added that extra curve,
and did a loft between the existing end curves of the cylinder. Though, doesn't that create
a second body? I have to try that.

Armin
I just copy/pasted the top curve and moved it down.
Added the points to it and fiddled.
Then lofted the three.
And, there is a new solid which is not a problem--easy to hide/delete the original.
(I showed it all to one side in the post image for better illustration)
Brian