Rear Admiral Charles A. Curtze, 96; Wouldn't Let His Kids Watch Westerns
Bill Schenley
He Was Much Loved and Respected
FROM: The Erie Times-News ~
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 prevented
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.
Throught 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 dislike of war, never talking of it in his
son's presence, nor allowing them even to watch western movies
or have a toy guns. He and 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. Though jaded
by the repression of his attempt to publicize these abuses, he
and Louise designed and built the yacht "uncle" 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 forefather, 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 seriously to the Book of Revelations.
Sensing his impending physical decline, he was hearted by a
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 like to say,
"struck a blow for freedom".
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of
62 years Louise.
He is survived by two sons: Arthur J. Curtze and his wife
Jennifer Loveland Curtze of State College, and Edwin Johannes
Curtze and his wife Patricia of Erie; four grandchildren: Joshua
D. Curtze and his wife Jennifer; Jessica L. Curtze, Rachel E.
Crutze 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 of Erie; a
niece Carolyn Vicary Emerson of Mineral, Va.; 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 8:30pm conducted by Daniel Baneck.
Interment on Saturday at Erie Cemetery at the convenience of the
family.
Memorials may be made to Community County Day School,
The Erie Humane Society, The Erie Philharmonic, Safe Net,
The Watchtower Society, Friends School of State College, or the
VNA Hospice, Erie.
