LAKEPORT, Calif. – Walter was born in Santa Cruz, Calif., on May 2, 1929, the only child of Arthur C. and Edna May Curtis. 

He went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, in Lakeport.

Walter's early years were spent in Salinas, Calif., and then in 1945, he moved with his parents to Lodi, Calif.

He graduated from Lodi Union High school in 1947 and from UC Berkeley in 1952 with a degree in civil engineering.

He married Evelyn L. Thompson on May 14, 1954. He was employed by Caltrans for 35 years, retiring in 1987. 

He later was self-employed doing soil studies for people wanting to do lot splits where a septic system would be needed.

The family first lived in Stockton, then Sacramento for two years, and then to Lodi where they lived until 2004 before moving to Lakeport to be near their daughter, Kathy Medlin.

Walter was a member of Temple Baptist Church of Lodi and active a a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He also worked as a referee for baseball games for the local Lodi City League.  

In Lakeport, Walter was active at Grace Evangelical Church of Kelseyville, the Lakeport Gideon Camp and Chapter 12 of the Retired Public Employees Association.

Walter is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn; daughter, Kathy (Paul) Medlin of Kelseyville; sons, David (Esther) of Pacifica and Daniel (Linda) of Martinez.

He also is survived by six grandchildren, Andrew Medlin, Michael (Stacey) Medlin, Rachael (Adrian) Avila, Kerrie (Dustin) Nichols, Rebecca (Dalton) Martin and Christopher Curtis; and five great-granddaughters.

Memorials may be sent to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 311, Lakeport, CA 95453.

A memorial service will be Thursday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Grace Evangelical Free Church of Kelseyville.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .