Curtis Harold Stelter

CURTIS HAROLD STELTER (aka “Fuzzy” or “Grumpy”), aged 77 years, died in his home in Fullerton, California on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020. Curt was born on February, 27th, 1943 in the Chippewa County town of Bloomer, Wisconsin (aka “Jump Rope Capital of the World”) to Harold and Pernelle (Culver) Stelter. He grew up in a family of farmers and machinists, learned piano and cornet, became an altar boy at the family’s Lutheran church, and nurtured an early fondness for nature and the outdoors. Curt attended Bloomer High School (Go Blackhawks!) where he lettered in marching band, basketball, baseball, and football. He graduated in 1961 and started a life-long career as a machinist, graduating from DeVry Institute with an Associate’s degree in electrical engineering. He went to work for Kearney and Trecker (Milwaukee) and never left even as the company ownership changed hands over many years (Giddings & Lewis, Thyssen Krupp, Fives Group). He worked as a tool and die machine repairman and technician promoting over time to a service and repair team manager. He traveled the country, finally settling in Fullerton, California (via Milwaukee and Chicago) and had two children, Nicole and Clayton. Curt taught his kids some of the most important things in life: Lake Como fishing, Pinewood Derby design, chopping wood, the virtues of the “mashed potato gravy dam,” 8-ball, darts, shuffleboard, and Oktoberfest polka music, just to name a few. He owned a Coldwater Canyon cabin in the Angeles National Forest where he’d take them on weekends to solidify these life lessons. Curt briefly owned a bar in Fullerton called the “Fender Bender” where he taught them advanced life skills like beer tap management and pour efficiency. He retired in 2011 and enjoyed a well-rounded life of socializing, woodworking, off-road driving, antique clock collection, and spent time furthering his hobbies of gardening and photography. Curt is survived by long-time companion, Lydia Kavanaugh (aka “road-trip roadie extraordinaire”), children Nicole and Clayton, grandchildren Hannah, Ethan, Grace, and Noah; sister Honor Mae, and nephews Cory and Scott, Edie, as well as many good friends, extended family, and more than a few local barkeeps. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Pernelle and his wife Judy Terbay and Mack, his best (and only) canine companion. A (socially-distant) Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 16th, 2020 at Brian’s (1944 N. Placentia Ave, Fullerton) beginning at 4pm. If you’re able to come help family and friends celebrate Curt’s life, please bring your best Fuzzy stories and a mask. A private interment will follow. McAulay & Wallace Mortuaries (714) 525-4721. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Los Angeles County Fire Foundation (www.supportlacountyfire.org) in appreciation for their protection of our forests.