Keith Merle Curtis

WATERVILLE – Keith Merle Curtis, 94, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 14, 2023 with his family by his side. He was born on March 28, 1929, in Waterville, and is the son of Merle Leighton Curtis and Marjorie Curtis(Huard). Keith graduated from Waterville High School in the Class of 1947. After working as a design artist for the Sutherland Sign Co. in Waterville from 1947 – 1950, Keith enlisted in the US Navy in 1950, was awarded the National Defense Service and Good Conduct medals and was honorably discharged in 1954.

Keith worked as an electrical engineer for the U.S. Navy at the Brunswick Naval Air Station and the Naval Air Station Atlantic City from 1950 – 1956 and then went on to work for IBM in East Fishkill and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., as an electrical and computer engineer. He helped design, build, and maintain computer hardware for one of the world’s first computers. He was awarded several engineering patents for his work with IBM. He retired after 31 years and moved back to Waterville in 1989 with his wife to spend a wonderful, very active life in retirement.

For his entire life, Keith was active in community events, sports, clubs, art shows, and he enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. He excelled in baseball and track at Waterville High School. He was an Eagle Scout – the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. He achieved a black belt in Tae Kwon Do karate, played volleyball, softball, and bowled in many leagues. He enjoyed running 5K races with the Central Maine Striders. Keith organized a benefit softball team, the “Golden Oldies” with local talent; he participated in the Maine Senior Games and competed in the US Senior Olympics for many years. Keith was active in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, Trout Unlimited, and was a Life Member of The American Legion, Bourque-Lanigan Post No. 5, Waterville ME. He was a member of the Waterville Area Art Society for 34 years and treasurer for many years. Keith loved painting with pastels. He was passionate about capturing Maine scenery and people. He won Best of Show awards in Maine art shows in 1993, 1994, 1997 and a People’s Choice Award in 2004. Keith was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed camping and fishing with his family and, after retirement, with his wife.

Keith was a man of very high moral standards, empathy, conviction, trustworthiness, patience and understanding. He always considered the well-being of others in everything he did. He was a generous man in mind and spirit. He was very highly respected in the community and he was an exceptional role-model for his children, grandchildren, and his Little Brothers, all of whom he loved and nurtured dearly. His life was a fulfilled life surrounded by peace and comfort at home with his wife Jeannette of 70 years. The memories we have, and will always have, of our father, grandfather, great-grandfather and loving husband to his childhood sweetheart Jeannette, are enduring, fond, and everlasting. We will forever cherish what he has meant and will always mean to his family and to his community through his generosity, selflessness, dedication and impeccable character.

Keith was predeceased by his father, Merle Leighton Curtis, his mother, Marjorie Curtis(Huard) and by his younger brother, Gary Stillman Curtis.

Keith is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Jeannette Veronica Curtis( Michaud ) of Waterville ME; a younger brother Raphael Curtis of Redding CA; three children including Kathy L. Curtis-Hernandez RN and her spouse Gus Hernandez of Scottsdale AZ, Dr. Scott K. Curtis DVM of Winslow ME, and Dr. Craig W. Curtis MD and his spouse Sande Curtis NP of Dedham ME; five grandchildren including Justin Curtis Jenkins and his spouse Andrew Foster Shi of Los Angeles CA, Dr. Kimberly J. Curtis PhD and her partner Ian McDonell of Marlborough MA, Ethan S. Curtis of Winslow ME, Dr. Kyle E. Curtis MD and his spouse Erika Curtis of Fayetteville NC, and Marcis I. Curtis of Dedham ME; a great-granddaughter, Eloise Curtis, daughter of Kyle and Erika Curtis; nephews including Marc Curtis of Watsonville CA, Bryan Curtis of O’Brien OR, Kevin Curtis, and niece Linda Park(Curtis).

Keith will be interred at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery mausoleum with Military Funeral Honors, 143 Blue Star Ave, Augusta, at 2 p.m., on July 14, 2023. A family gathering will take place immediately following the interment. Keith’s life will be celebrated on Sunday July 16,2023 at the Oakland American Legion at 22 Church Street Oakland, Maine 04963.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield, Maine. Memories may be shared, and an online registry book may be signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kennebec Valley, 2351 N Belfast Ave, Augusta, ME 04330. Donations should be in memory of

Keith M. Curtis.


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