Obituary of Robert Kutz

BOB KUTZ January 12, 1922 to February 21, 2013 Robert "Bob" Boyne Kutz was born on January 12, 1922, in San Francisco to Charles Conyngham Kutz and Mildred Boyne Kutz, both descendents of California Pioneer families. He died on February 21, 2013 at his home in Chico, California. He was a loving father and family patriarch and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Marguerite Ellis Kutz, and children, Robert Wade Kutz (Eureka), Katherine Elizabeth Ichelson (Oroville), William Pillsbury Kutz (Chico), James Charles Kutz (Chico), Julie Thornton-Adams and her husband Mark (Newport Beach) and Roy Ellis Kutz and his wife Elaine (San Francisco), and grandchildren, Sarah Kutz, Brian Kutz, Cody Kutz, Kyle Kutz, Kyody Kutz and Alexander Adams. He was preceded in death by son, Ted James Kutz. Bob was active in sports and was on the Aptos Jr. High Swim Team and Pop Warner Football team. In 1936, Bob's family moved to Chico where he attended Chico High School, lettering four years in Football, and participating in Basketball and Track. He graduated high school in 1939. Bob went to University of California, Berkeley, where he became a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity and was on Cal's Freshman Water Polo Team. He was a pre-law student, until Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1942. He left Cal, volunteering for active duty in the Navy in February 1943. He served on active duty until year-end 1946. Immediately upon Navy discharge, Bob entered Hastings College of Law, where he founded its first scholastic Honor Society, The Thurston Society, and graduated fifth in his class of 113 in 1948. Bob passed the California Bar Examination and started practice with Duard Geis in Willows until May 1950, when he opened his own law office in Chico, and became a partner in the Law Firm of Ware & Kutz until 1954, when his partner A.B. Ware was elevated to Judge of the Butte County Superior Court. Bob resumed sole practice until his retirement on December 31, 1999. Bob served for two years as President of the Butte County Bar Association. Bob spent many years as Chairman of Ronald Reagan's campaign for California Governor. He was a member ("Bat Masterson") of the Comanche Riders Association and the Society of California Pioneers. Bob and Margie spent many years enjoying the athletic activities of their children, several of whom were members of the Chico Aqua Jets Swim Teams. Summers and year-round, Bob and his wife judged and timed the kids' swimming races throughout Northern California. As a family, they also enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, sailing, singing, hiking, and spending summers at their cabin at Lake Almanor West. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Paskenta Cemetery (west of Corning). Arrangements are under the direction of the Brusie Funeral Home.