Curtis R. Hinz

Curtis Hinz Obituary

Curtis R. Hinz, aged 68, passed away in Amarillo on November 24, 2023, surrounded by his family at home.

A vigil service will be held Friday, December 15, 2023, at 6:00 PM, Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia.  A memorial mass will follow on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter.  The inurnment will take place at Llano Cemetery at a later date.

Curtis was born June 16, 1955, in Madison, Wisconsin, to his parents, Robert Allen and Loretta Theresa Hinz.  After graduating from Madison West High School, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Steven Point.  He graduated from Madison Area Technical College with a degree in electronic technology.  He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating in 1984 with a degree in electrical engineering.

On the day of a UW football game, he met Diane Schwartz, the love of his life.  They eventually married on May 12, 1979, in Madison.  Their love story continued for 44 more years.

Immediately after graduation, Curtis and Diane moved to Kansas City, where Curtis worked for Bendix Corporation, a division of our nation’s nuclear weapons industry.  Bendix Corporation later became Allied Signal Corporation and eventually Honeywell.  He worked there throughout the Cold War with Russia until 1992, when he accepted a position at Pantex in Amarillo.  During the course of his career, he earned several awards for excellence and achievement.

Curtis was a devoted family man who loved sports and was an outstanding athlete.  He starred in basketball, baseball, and football at Madison West High School.  He played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.  Curtis coached his children’s basketball, baseball, and football teams.  He was a motivating coach who saw potential in everyone.  He brought out the absolute best in players.  Curtis was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.  He enjoyed golf and was a member of the Tascosa Golf Club.  Curtis also had a passion for history, always reading and learning more each day.

He was a humble and generous man of great integrity, and he will always be remembered for his love of family and for the genuine and caring traits that he bestowed on his family, friends, and the many children he coached throughout the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Curtis is survived by his wife Diane, son Chris Hinz and his wife Erika of Amarillo, daughter Jessica Birkenfeld and her husband Steven Birkenfeld of Nazareth, brother Allen R. Hinz and his wife Jody of Colorado Springs, and 8 grandchildren:  Khristian, Kamryn, Heston, Hutch, Olivia, Wyatt, Josie, and baby Birkenfeld on the way.

Donations can be made to the High Plains Food Bank. https://www.hpfb.org/