Curtis Gregg Neitsch

Curtis Gregg Neitsch went to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ, on February 9, 2022 after a difficult battle with Parkinson's. Born in Austin, Texas, Curtis eventually made his permanent home in California. Curtis was a man of many talents. He served as an electrical engineer in the Navy on the Aircraft Carrier Valley Forge. He had a metallurgist degree from UC Berkley and worked for NASA designing rocket heat shields. He also earned a teaching certificate and ultimately landed at Klamath River Elementary School in the small community of Horse Creek along the Klamath River, where he taught many grades, especially 3rd & 4th. Curtis's many students remember him for being strict, yet kind and creative, with many expressing their fond memories of art lessons and music in the classroom. Curtis loved art and music, and his family is blessed with beautiful still life oil paintings, and memories of Fur Elise and other piano pieces filling their home. Curtis's growing family prompted him to turn a one room fishing cabin into a house big enough for a family of seven, using carpentry skills largely taught by his father. His love of the forest was celebrated in his creative home design. Curtis also enjoyed being outdoors, whether cutting/chopping wood, beekeeping, hiking, camping, fishing or rafting the Klamath. Curtis was a favorite among many friends along the river and delighted in social gatherings held in their home. He and his wife, Carolyn, practiced a strong Christian faith and often hosted bible studies and supported local churches. A schoolteacher's schedule allowed him the summertime to travel extensively with his family throughout the nation. After retirement, Curtis and Carolyn eventually moved to Montague, and then Yreka, splitting their time at their RV in Fawndale Oaks Park in Redding, where they could visit their youngest son, Daniel. Curtis was a wonderful husband to Carolyn for over 45 years. He was a beloved father to three children, Gregg (Stacey), Ramona (Andy) Mcbeth, and Daniel, and two stepdaughters, Shirley (Rob) O'Gorman and Cynthia (Jim) Weaver, a grandparent to 15, and great-grandfather to three. Curtis is also survived by his sisters, Evelyn Tucker of Idaho, Ramona Bode of Georgia and their families. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 am. at Decision Life Church, 203 Wetzel Way, Yreka, decisionlifechurch.org. Light refreshments will follow. . For questions call or text Cynthia Weaver at 425-422-6157 or Shirley O'Gorman at 530-859-0323. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Decision Life Church in Yreka https://www.decisionlifechurch.org/

Curtis Gregg Neitsch

December 15, 1937 - February 9, 2022