2020

George “Curtis” leaves his wife Joan of La Crescenta, children Gregory of Morgan Hill and Alane Cleven O’Leary and family of Boise, Idaho, sister Carol Landaas and nephew Neil of Snohomish, Washington, sister in-law Ann Taneyhill and her husband John of Anaheim Hills, as well as numerous grandchildren, nephews, great nephews, nieces and great nieces throughout the United States. He was preceded in death by his parents Kathryn and George, brother Beryl, sister Lois and niece Stephanie.

Curtis was born in White Butte, South Dakota to ranchers Kathryn and George Cleven. At the age of 3, his parents moved the family to the small town of North Bend, Washington. After graduating from high school, Curtis attended the University of Washington, majoring in physics. After two years of college, Curtis enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in order to return to the University at a later date using the GI Bill. While in the Marines, Curtis attained the rank of sergeant in three years. After discharge, he began working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, but soon enrolled at San Diego State University earning a degree in physics with a focus on electronics engineering.

It was at SDSU where he met his beloved wife Joan. They met initially in a ballroom dance class but later enrolled in numerous classes together. Being dormitory students allowed them to share evening dinners in the Commons Dining Hall and to become better acquainted.

A week after commencement, in June 1962, they were married in Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Diego. They soon settled in the Crescenta Valley where Curtis resumed what would be a 44-year career at JPL. After he retired, he continued to consult until 2009.

During his long career, Curtis supported numerous JPL projects including the U.S. Army’s Sergeant missile; Explorer 1, America’s first satellite; the Mariner series spacecraft, which were the first to visit the planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars; the Viking and Mars Pathfinder missions; Deep Space 1; and several Earth orbiting satellites including SeaSat, Topex/Poseidon, and Orbiting Carbon Observatory. Some of these projects brought the family to Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, Florida for extended periods of time. 

After retirement, Curtis served on the Crescenta Valley Town Council, as treasurer of the Crescenta Valley Arts Council, and as treasurer of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley. He was also an active, longtime volunteer at the Huntington Gardens.

Curtis cherished his family, spending evenings and weekends supporting his children’s various activities, which included sports, pets, paper routes, Scouting, music and homework. Throughout the years he took his family on summer camping, hiking and backpacking trips. In winter there were even some snowshoeing trips to the local mountains and the High Sierra. Friends have often described Curtis as helpful, witty, kind, brilliant, a warm gentleman, and one to be remembered fondly. 

The funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, March 14 at noon at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave. in Montrose. A military flag ceremony will precede the Mass at 11:30 a.m.