Supporter of 'Everything Portage': Dr. J. Robert “Doc” Curtis (1915-2012)

Pflanz Manley Mendrala Funefal Home

Everyone's Doc: ‘Doc Curtis’ was a supporter of everything Portage. (Portage Daily Register, 8/13/2012)

His contribution to Portage and Columbia County:

• Portage Common Council
• Portage School Board (25 years)
• Columbia County Board of Supervisors
• Portage Historical Society (charter member)
• Author of A Military History of Portage, 1673-1975
• Portage Curling Club
• Distinguished Citizen of the Year (1991) Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
• Library advocate

Excerpt:  Curtis advocated for a new library years ago, and recently for the expansion of the existing one. He wouldn’t say it, Grothman said, but he also opened up his wallet to support it. 

Martin remembers Curtis and his wife as the driving force behind getting the Portage Public Library as people know it today. 

“If we didn’t have Doc Curtis and Kathryn, we wouldn’t have that library today,” she said.