Charles A. Curtze

Rear Admiral Charles A. Curtze Retired He was much loved and Respected….. Rear Admiral Charles A. Curtze Retired age 96, of West 38th Street, Millcreek, died Wednesday December 26, 2007 at his residence. He was born April 8, 1911 in Erie at Hamot Hospital a son of late Edwin H. and Henrietta Kraus Curtze and he was grandson of Charles A. Curtze, founder of C.A. Curtze Company, Erie, Pa. Residing at 135 East 7th St., he attended Jones Elementary School, Gridley Junior High, and graduated from Central High School 1928. Being an exchange Rotary Club son in Scandinavia led to an appointment to the United States Naval Academy class of 1933, and graduate study at MIT, earning a masters degree in Naval construction. A highly successful gymnastic career qualified him for the 1936 Olympics in Munich, Germany, but growing security concerns over Hitler caused the state department to prevent his participation. He was on duty at Pearl Harbor during the attack, and served in the Pacific. His naval career continued as he married Louise Vicary, and his sons were born. He served as the engineering member of the first NATO group in London. Eventually becoming commander of the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, he became a Rear Admiral. Throughout his life he shared with his wife and sons his love for literature, music, choral singing, skiing, sailing, fine craftsmanship, and animals. Despite his military career, he shared with Louise their mutual dislike of war, never talking of it in their son’s presence, nor allowing them even to watch western movies or have toy guns. He and his wife simply loved ships and the sea. At the pinnacle of his naval career, serving as Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Ships in Washington, D.C. growing frustration over the political abuses during the Vietnam years led to his retirement in protest with the Chief of the Bureau, William Brockett. Though jaded by the repression of his attempt to publicize these abuses, he and Louise designed and built the yacht “Thule” of which they long had dreamed, and enjoyed many years of sailing. But concern for the direction of the nation, and the world, lingered. Several years ago he found a book in his library written by his grandfather Kern regarding the Revelation Prophecy. Seeing that prophecy had been important to his forefathers, he joined in studying the Book of Daniel. Voicing amazement that his Navy Career had visibly contributed to foretold world events, he returned to the task of seriously considering the Book of Revelations. Sensing his impending physical decline, he was heartened by confidence in the resurrection hope, that God’s will is going to “be done on earth, as in heaven”, and that God “will bring to ruin those ruining the earth”, and that he will see his loved ones again. After a care giving life of almost 97 years, his flesh finally gave out and he passed away in sleep. He had , as he liked to say, “struck a blow for freedom”. He was a hero to everyone who was touched by his life. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Louise.He is survived by two sons: Arthur Jonathan Curtze and his wife Jennifer Loveland Curtze of State College, and Edwin Johannes Curtze and his wife Patricia Leavy of Erie; four Grandchildren: Joshua D. Curtze and his wife Jennifer Boyd Curtze; Jessica L. Curtze, Rachel E. Curtze all of Erie; Alexander Charles Curtze of State College; nephew Charles Curtze Vicary and his wife Willow of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Thomas Cornish Vicary and his wife Cheryl Gannoe Curtze of Erie; a niece Carolyn Vicary Emerson of Conn. and numerous descendants, the Kern family and step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren. Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26th St. at Powell Ave. on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6:30 until the time of service at 8:30 p.m. conducted by Daniel Banach. Interment will be held on Saturday at Erie Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to Community Country Day School, The Erie Humane Society, The Erie Philharmonic, Safe Net, The Watchtower Society, Friends School of State College, Pa. or the VNA Hospice, Erie. Send Condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com. Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits