Curtis Carl Erickson, 89, of Phillipsburg, KS passed away on September 10, 2018 at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE.
Curtis was born on a farm near Jennings, Kansas to Lawrence Oscar "L.O" and Vallie Erickson on March 27, 1929. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to many.
Curtis was preceded in death by his wife Francis Lorraine Erickson, his parents, and brothers Kenneth (Leila) Erickson and Vernon (Carol) Erickson.
Curtis is survived by his sons Ed (Janese) Erickson of Kearney, NE and Bruce (Rhonda) Erickson of Overland Park, KS. His grandchildren Heather (Nathaniel) May of Waltham, MA, Sara (Scott) Nachtigal of Kearney, NE, Lori Erickson of Olathe, KS, Cherise Erickson of Valley Village, CA, and Robert Erickson of Overland Park, KS. Additionally, he is survived by his five great grand-children Isabella and Sam Nachtigal, India and Jake May, and Ellis Pope.
Curt grew up in rural Kansas working summers on his Uncle's farm. Active in sports throughout his life he was an outstanding high school athlete and during the summer while attending Fort Hays State, played semi-professional baseball for the Great Bend Beejays in the Ban Johnson league. He continued his love of sports as part of his family life by coaching his sons little league teams and following their sports activities throughout their school years.
After graduation for Fort Hays State in May of 1951 Curt joined the United States Air Force and served four years during the Korean Conflict. While stationed at Lackland Airbase in San Antonio, Texas, Curt met the love of his life Fran Wallen. Curt and Fran were married in San Antonio on October 26, 1952 after saving several weeks for the $5 marriage license.
In October of 1955 Rev. C.F. Schaffnit, president of Great Plains Lutheran Hospitals presented his newly hired Asst. Director Curt Erickson to the Board of Directors. From that point forward until his retirement in 1991 as CEO of Great Plains Health Alliance, Curt dedicated his working life to being an outspoken advocate for rural healthcare in America. Curt served in numerous leadership positions within the healthcare industry including; President of the Kansas Hospital Association, Trustee of the American Hospital Association (AHA), Chairman of AHA's Small or Rural Hospital Governing Council and Chairman of Region 6 serving seven mid-western states. He was elected to membership in the American College of Hospital Administrators, served as the President of the Lutheran Hospital Association of America, and served on the Robert Wood Johnson National Advisory Committee for the Rural Hospital program of Extended Care Service.
In 1986 Curt was appointed by Senator Robert Dole to the Federal Prospective Payment Assessment Commission (ProPAC). In that capacity he testified numerous times before both Senate and House of Representative committees on small and rural hospital issues.
Curt has always given considerable credit for his success to the education he received from Fort Hays State University. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Association and in 1990 was named an Outstanding Alumnus. In 2018 Curt helped establish an endowed scholarship in his name for Fort Hays State University's Department of Nursing.
One of Curt's special interests was Rotary International, serving as Phillipsburg Chapter President, District 567 Governor and, along with his wife Fran, was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Curt was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving a number of years as adult Sunday School teacher and as a volunteer in many other capacities.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept 14 at 11:00 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg with Pastors Lee Bennight and Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Wed. and 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Curtis C. Erickson Nursing Scholarship at Ft. Hays.