Obituary for Paul H. Kurtz
Paul H. Kurtz, PhD, 83, of Bellefonte, formerly of Bellwood, died Monday January 30, 2023 at his home.
He was born February 7, 1939 in Antis Township, a son of the late Paul and Betty (Williams) Kurtz. On March 11, 1961, he married Connie Otto.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years; his son, Dan (Lynn) of Bellwood; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, David (Saddie) and Jim (Irene); a sister Elizabeth (Ronald) Vukman; and a bevy of nieces and nephews.
He was a 1957 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School where he was active in the orchestra as a viola player and was also lead trumpet in the band.
Paul held a PhD from Penn State in Mechanical Engineering and was a well-respected, award winning expert in undersea weapons technology. At Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), he served as a Research Assistant in Undersea Weapon System Guidance and Propulsion, a Research Associate for Advanced Underwater Weapons Systems, the Head of the Systems Analysis and Simulation Department, the Head of the Manufacturing Systems Division, and retired as the Chief Scientist (Senior Scientist Rank), Materials and Manufacturing Office. After retirement he consulted for ARL/PSU and the American Competitiveness Institute (ACI), which manages the Navy Center of Excellence in Electronics Manufacturing Technology.
As a member of the Department of Defense Senior Executive Service he served as Head, Advanced Concepts Division, and Head of the Research and Technology Department at NAVCOASTYSCEN in Panama City, Florida, and the Technical Director of Torpedo MK50 Development Program at NAVSEASYSCOM (US Navy) in Crystal City, Virginia during full scale system development.
At Martin Marietta, Baltimore, he served as Director of Mechanical Engineering, Director of Research and Technology, and the Director of Advanced Programs.
He was a former Adjunct Professor for the MIT Department of Electrical Engineering as a non-resident instructor in Control Theory, and for the University of Maryland in Engineering Management.
Paul was an avid hiker and camper. He liked to explore the woodlands of North Central Pa, searching for lost railroads, mushrooms, and unusual rock formations. He raised orchids for over 30 years. One of his favorite pastimes was picking cranberries outside of Snowshoe with friends and family.
Friends will be received from 10 to 11am, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church, State College.
A memorial service will be held at 11am Saturday at the church, with Pastors Scott E. Schul and Carolyn K. Hetrick, officiating. A private interment will be held at Logan Valley Cemetery, Bellwood.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in his name be made to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Vascular Institute 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, or Grace Lutheran Church, 205 South Garner Street, State College, PA 16801.
He was born February 7, 1939 in Antis Township, a son of the late Paul and Betty (Williams) Kurtz. On March 11, 1961, he married Connie Otto.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years; his son, Dan (Lynn) of Bellwood; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, David (Saddie) and Jim (Irene); a sister Elizabeth (Ronald) Vukman; and a bevy of nieces and nephews.
He was a 1957 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School where he was active in the orchestra as a viola player and was also lead trumpet in the band.
Paul held a PhD from Penn State in Mechanical Engineering and was a well-respected, award winning expert in undersea weapons technology. At Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), he served as a Research Assistant in Undersea Weapon System Guidance and Propulsion, a Research Associate for Advanced Underwater Weapons Systems, the Head of the Systems Analysis and Simulation Department, the Head of the Manufacturing Systems Division, and retired as the Chief Scientist (Senior Scientist Rank), Materials and Manufacturing Office. After retirement he consulted for ARL/PSU and the American Competitiveness Institute (ACI), which manages the Navy Center of Excellence in Electronics Manufacturing Technology.
As a member of the Department of Defense Senior Executive Service he served as Head, Advanced Concepts Division, and Head of the Research and Technology Department at NAVCOASTYSCEN in Panama City, Florida, and the Technical Director of Torpedo MK50 Development Program at NAVSEASYSCOM (US Navy) in Crystal City, Virginia during full scale system development.
At Martin Marietta, Baltimore, he served as Director of Mechanical Engineering, Director of Research and Technology, and the Director of Advanced Programs.
He was a former Adjunct Professor for the MIT Department of Electrical Engineering as a non-resident instructor in Control Theory, and for the University of Maryland in Engineering Management.
Paul was an avid hiker and camper. He liked to explore the woodlands of North Central Pa, searching for lost railroads, mushrooms, and unusual rock formations. He raised orchids for over 30 years. One of his favorite pastimes was picking cranberries outside of Snowshoe with friends and family.
Friends will be received from 10 to 11am, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church, State College.
A memorial service will be held at 11am Saturday at the church, with Pastors Scott E. Schul and Carolyn K. Hetrick, officiating. A private interment will be held at Logan Valley Cemetery, Bellwood.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in his name be made to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Vascular Institute 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, or Grace Lutheran Church, 205 South Garner Street, State College, PA 16801.