Orman Phillips Curtis, 96, of Mount Chestnut passed away early Monday morning at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot.

He was born Feb. 8, 1913, in Hampden, Maine, and was the son of Everett F. and Lora L. Whitmore Curtis.

He was a member of the Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church and the Ionic Mason Lodge of Easthampton, Mass.

He graduated as a chemical engineer from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., and from other industrial schools for research, manufacturing and sales. He was granted personal USA patents and licensed them for applications in industry.

During World War II, he was the civilian chief of procurement and inspections for all U.S. Army rifles and guns. Later, he was a production manager of the Personal Products Co. and the Johnson and Johnson Co. After the war, he worked with the manufacture and packaging of pharmaceuticals.

After presenting a paper that lowered costs, he was an export manager of the Beloit Corp., the world's largest manufacturer of heavy machinery for the paper industry. After retirement, he graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Carlisle and was assigned to the West Chester State University.

He is survived by his wife, Marylouise Wells Curtis, whom he married Oct. 19, 1940; one daughter, Mrs. Ellis (Barbara) Baker of Cape Cod, Mass.; two sons, Richard (Donna) Curtis of Cape Cod, Mass., and the Rev. Jeffrey (Kay) Curtis of Mount Chestnut; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

<B>CURTIS</B> The final wishes of Orman Phillips Curtis, who died Monday, April 20, 2009, were for his family to celebrate his life with a public memorial service at the Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church. The day and time will be published later in the Butler Eagle.Cremation services were provided by the <B>Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home</B>, Prospect.Memorial contributions can be made to the Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, 727 W. Old Route 422, Butler PA 16001.To leave an online condolence go to www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.