Curtis Joseph Westerman

Curtis Joseph “Joe” Westerman, 68, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2026.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, on June 3, 1958, Joe spent most of his life connected to the city he called home. In 1981 Joe made plans to move to a big city and start a music career. Eventually he decided on San Francisco, California to start a band. Life had another path in mind. He promptly began working for a corporation, met a girl, built a life, started a family, and the rest is history. In 1994, at the onset of the tech boom and after working for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, another big move was in store, when he ultimately returned to Columbus with his young family where he remained for the rest of his life.

Joe enjoyed a successful career in the Public Sector and Big Tech, including 13 years with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, 21 years with IBM, and 10 years as a contractor with the State of Ohio. Throughout his professional life, he was known for his intelligence, curiosity, and passion for innovation during a period of tremendous change in the industry, earning him the nickname "The Professor" among his colleagues at one point.

Above all else, Joe was devoted to his faith and his community. He had a deep love for his church, congregation, and ministry at New Salem Baptist, where he formed meaningful relationships and found lasting purpose and fellowship. If you knew Joe, you knew he loved Jesus, the gospel, and the music that enveloped it all. He was a highly technical and skilled musician, but he learned how to feel the music after joining New Salem. Joe found comfort in the Lord and leaned on Him to structure and guide his life and heart in his later years.

An avid cyclist, Joe found joy, freedom, and adventure on two wheels. Whether exploring new routes or talking with fellow cycling enthusiasts, bicycles were one of his lifelong passions. In 2025, he had his second highest recorded year, logging 2,037 miles on the road. He loved music and film, maintaining an extensive and diverse music collection, and he enjoyed endless conversations about favorite albums, artists, and movies.

Of all his accomplishments, Joe was most proud of his family. He cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren, whose lives brought him immeasurable happiness. His love, wisdom, humor, and encouragement will be remembered by all who knew him. This is his legacy.

He is survived by his two children, Blaire and Max (Brittany) Westerman; his grandsons, Leonard and Arthur; his brother, George Westerman (Diana Sharpless); and his mother, Rita Westerman.

He was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Floyd Westerman, and sister-in-law, Ann Chapman.

A Homegoing Service will be held on October 29, 2026 at 12:00pm with visitation beginning at 11:00am, at New Salem Baptist Church, 2956 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43224.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation to YayBikes! in his memory.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for his faith, his kindness, his love of family, and his enthusiasm for the people and passions that enriched his life.