Paul Curtis, the dedicated groundskeeper who cared for the iconic turf at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium for over three decades, passed away on March 25, 2025, in State College at 58.
Born on July 6, 1966, in Niagara Falls, New York, Paul Curtis fought a long and brave fight against cancer. He died peacefully at home on the Gold Coast.
Paul Curtis is survived by his mother, Sarah Jane Curtis, his sister, Maureen Curtis Lewis, and more. He was also a loving father to two goddaughters, Madison Kellogg and Mircea Wagner.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard “Dick” Curtis who passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Langston Place in Clinton, at the age of 82.
Curtis’ father, Richard, had moved from Ireland to the United States in 1955 and settled in Niagara Falls, New York.
There, he worked for Kruger Pontiac and Goodyear Tire. Later, he moved with his family to Pennsylvania, where he joined Penn State University and worked in Maintenance until he retired.
After retiring, he moved to South Carolina to be near his daughter and his wife’s family, the Vaughn Renwicks.
Curtis’s mother, Sarah, originally from Sandy Ridge, Pennsylvania, studied nursing at Trott Vocational High School and worked at Presbyterian Home.
Groundskeeper Paul Curtis Worked at Penn State for Over Three Decades!
Paul Curtis, a 1986 graduate of Philipsburg Osceola High School, worked at Penn State for 35 years. He began his career with the Office of Physical Plant.
In 1992, he transitioned to the athletic department, joining the Beaver Stadium grounds crew. His passion and skill earned him the role of group leader, a position he held until his retirement in June 2021.
Under his leadership, Beaver Stadium’s grass field was regarded as one of the best in the country.
During his time at Penn State, Curtis became a friend and mentor to many students. His obituary stated:
His dedication and pride in his role as group leader for the Beaver Stadium Grounds Crew shone in his work, ensuring that the stadium was more than just a venue for events, but a welcoming environment for all who visited.
After retiring, Curtis remained in State College, working at WC Clarke’s The Cheese Shoppe, where he continued connecting with locals and visitors.
Curtis’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes. One of his friends, Nate Moore, wrote a lengthy eulogy, which reads:
This is the hardest goodbye that I never got to say. I can only hope that one day I’ll be half the person that you were. Your story might’ve ended, but it’s one that will never stop being told. WE ARE because You Were. Thank you endlessly for all of the memories and a friendship I’ll never forget Paul Curtis.
Nate Moore
A visitation will be held on May 2, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Koch Funeral Home in State College. A memorial service will follow on May 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the same location.
During this difficult time, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Curti’s mother and extended family.
