Robert Kutz

Robert J Kutz, age 49, passed away on April 13, 2024. He was born to Alan and Peggy (O'Brien) Kutz on May 2, 1974 in Waupun WI.

Robert was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force enlisting in 1992. His military service was worthy of much renown having traveled the world and earning him the self-proclaimed nickname "Mr. Worldwide". Whether it was in Korea, Spain, Saudi Arabia, or Japan, Staff Sergeant Kutz made friends and memories everywhere he went. He knew how to work hard and earned his stripes.

While in the Air Force he met his first wife Angela M Lutz (not a typo). Their marriage brought to the world Robert's ultimate pride and joy, his children Janee and Zachary.

He left the service and turned his attention to his kids. After the sudden death of their mother in 2002 he leveled up to Super Dad. A fierce protector who faced many challenges, no one was able to get between him and his children. His family was his top priority. He made many sacrifices to spend time with his kids and extended family. Always there to lend a hand he raised his children to be generous, hardworking, and considerate to those they had opportunities to help and serve. Summers were spent visiting extended family, having been very proud of the huge family he was blessed with.

Rob married his wife of twenty years, Kelly White, in 2003. They spent many years together enjoying time as a family while Janee and Zach grew up.

Robert not only served his country but served his community as a teacher. Overcoming his own learning challenges, he showed his kids the value of perseverance getting degrees in biology, history and education, teaching certifications including physics and chemistry, and a master's degree in educational leadership. The man was nonstop.

When he was not talking about his own children, he would talk about the children he helped teach. Whether it be Ripon, Green Lake, or Black River Falls, he was an educator dedicated to the wellbeing of the students he interacted with. Quick with a joke he particularly was effective with students who were dealing with difficult situations in their family or learning. An advocate for the outsiders but having a big personality, his students remember him fondly.

On top of his duties as a teacher he coached multiple sports. He was best known in coaching for handing out bananas during the day so the athletes would not cramp up. Lining up with the lineman and getting hit hard in warmups was common for coaching football.

His girls basketball team will remember him fondly for coaching rugby during basketball practice, as he never played basketball but wanted to spend more time with Janee who later realized that rugby was the sport she was wanting to play all along.

His favorite hobbies included making up work to keep his kids busy. A competent handyman and teacher who was always looking for opportunities to teach them new skills. From electrical and plumbing to fixing cars, home remodeling, garage rebuilding and keeping a horse and llamas. He had a way of just knowing what to do to get the job done. This gift came to be particularly handy in his creative methods of discipline.

When the work was done, he could be found playing video games or watching some anime. Even in those hobbies there was always an opportunity to educate or teach.

Robert will be best known for his time being an outstanding father, not without faults, but with deep pride and joy in the successes of his children and grandchildren.

Unfortunately he leaves us too soon after a long battle with addiction. However, even through the last difficult years he was finding ways to be a light in his community. In 2021 he donated his bicycle and primary transportation to the boys and girls club to put others needs above his own.

A lifelong learner, fighter and generous spirit he will be remembered as an inspiration to those family, friends, and students he left behind.

Robert left a lasting impact and is survived by his daughter Janee (Lily) Kutz-Strehlow, son Zachary (Tori) Kutz, grandsons Ezra Thomas and Isaiah Alan, mother Peggy (Paul) Walkowicz, brother Alan (Rebecca) Kutz, sister Rebecca (Brian) Bulson, nephew Ethan, nieces Lily and Chloe, aunts and uncles, more cousins than anyone can count, other extended family, and a lifetime of friends.

Robert is preceded in death by his father Alan, uncles John and Chuck, and cousins Erin and Chuck Jr.

A memorial Service for Robert will be held at New Life Community Church (3250 W Ninth Ave) on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 2PM. A visitation will be held from 1PM until the time of service. Military honors will follow the service.