Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Gregg Allen Houtz

FUNERAL HOME

Hansen Mortuary Chapel - Phoenix

8314 N. 7th Street

Phoenix, Arizona

Gregg Houtz Obituary

Houtz, Gregg Allen
Caring husband, brother, son and father passed away at age 55 on July 29, 2010 in Mesa AZ. Gregg lived with wife Jackie in Chandler AZ. He moved with his three children, Kristin, Eric and Erin to Arizona from Washington DC in 1989. Gregg Houtz was with the Arizona Department of Water Resources since 1994. As Deputy Counsel with the Department's Legal Division, Gregg's work included Colorado River, Arizona Water Banking Authority, tribal water issues and settlements, underground storage and recovery projects, rural planning, and environmental issues. Gregg received his Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C. Service included legislative counsel to the Secretary of the Interior; minority counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; District Director for Arizona U.S. Congressman Jay Rhodes; and as private consultant. Memorial services will be held at 1:00PM Tuesday August 3, 2010 at Hansen Mortuary at 8314 N. Seventh St., Phoenix AZ.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 1, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregg Houtz

24 Entries

John Smithhisler

August 30, 2010

Dear Jackie and Family,

You don't know me but I went to YC, lived in Look Hall and played basketball with Gregg. Over the years I would think about him from time to time and wonder what he was up to. I unexpectedly ran into him a couple of times in DC and he was just as kind a gentleman as I remembered him in college. I have some pictures of him in Look Hall with his "afro" clowning around with Steve Johnson. I am so sad he is no longer with us.

With kind regards,

Sarah McCafferty

August 29, 2010

Dear Jackie and Family, I just learned about your loss. I was shocked and very sad. Gregg was one of the few reasons first year law school could be fun. He was always interested in others, kind, and very funny. Just as we were approaching finals in April of our first year, Gregg very kindly offered to bartend at my parents' 25th wedding anniversary party, which was being held about 90 minutes north of Washington, DC. Not only was he a great bartender, he was the life of the party! People who met him there would ask about Gregg every time I saw them for months afterwards. I am thinking of you all.

Janet St. Amand

August 27, 2010

Jackie and Family -

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Gregg's passing. I cannot imagine Gregg being anything but vibrant, funny and full of life. I am shocked. Gregg and I met when we were in the same section our first year of Law school. He was part of the very close crowd that clung together that first year and he was always up, always happy. He never let law school get him down. He was a wonderful friend. I am so sorry for your loss.

Michelle

August 24, 2010

Jackie and family.

I just learned of Gregg's passing when I returned from out of state. I am so sorry for your loss. I met Gregg through our work for the State Bar. He was an easy going guy with a sharp intellect and a delightful sense of humor. He was also a good public servant. I admired him a great deal. I'm dismayed to hear of his passing.

My condolences to you and your children. May God bless and comfort you.

Tim Roesler

August 19, 2010

Jackie and family.
Sorry to hear of Gregg's passing. He was a dear family friend since childhood. I remember him coming down from Yankton College to Lincoln, and crashing at the ATO house with me for the Model United Nations at UNL. Great memories.

Steve & Nadine Johnson

August 16, 2010

Dear Jackie, Kristin, Erin & Eric,
It is with great sadness that we learned of Gregg's passing. He was such an intelligent, charming and caring person. We remember fondly our visit with you and Gregg in 2006 when we were in Arizona. It was such a treat to meet you! We reminisced about the "good ole' days" at Yankton College with Gregg and enjoyed sharing stories that you had not previously heard. : ) He always added so much to any gathering! You are all in our prayers and we look forward to the ultimate reunion someday in heaven. We know Gregg is there waiting and delighting those around him with his wit, charm and joyful attitude. God Bless You!

Charlie Schock

August 8, 2010

Dear Jackie & Family,

I was shocked and saddened to learn that Gregg passed on. In the Fall of 1974, we met as freshmen at Yankton College, a small college with an enrollment of about 300 students in southeastern South Dakota. We were both pre-law students and took many of the same courses. He set the bar high for our department by working hard and achieving a lot in his time at YC but he also managed to find time to have fun. Although he ended up going to law school at Georgetown on the East Coast and I was far away at Arizona State University, our paths were destined to meet again when he took a job with Arizona Congressman John Rhodes and eventually worked for the Department of Water Resources. Gregg was not only an accomplished lawyer but also a wonderful husband and father and someone that I am proud to call a friend. I love the photo you used for his memorial folder. It really captured his smile and enthusiasm for life. I am sorry I could not attend the funeral last week but Gregg was on my mind all afternoon and I will miss him. To Jackie and family, may your grief quickly pass and leave you with many happy memories of your life with Gregg, knowing that there are so many of us who share your loss. God bless you all.

Tom Maher

August 4, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with Gregg's Family and friends at this difficult time. I hope the support of those near you and fond memories of Gregg provide you strength for tomorrow. Sincerely,

Rich Kuzma

August 4, 2010

Gregg soars with the angels,brightening the heavens with his light.We will buy memorial wine glasses in his honor and toast to fond memories and joyous reunions.

Simon Escobedo

August 4, 2010

Jackie, I can only echo what Nan Flores said in her entry, I worked with him since he came to the Agency and he was a great friend, he was well respected by everyone that he came in contact with. He will be missed and I know that all of the ADWR family will miss him very much.
We have prayer services tonight and I will hold you and your family in our prayers.
Take Care

Jared Bennett

August 4, 2010

I met Gregg while working on a political campaign when I was in college. He was a true mentor to me back then. He encouraged me to go to law school and has always been a font of wisdom for me over the years which I will greatly miss. I would not be the lawyer I am today without his inspiration and guidance when I was in college.

George Caan

August 4, 2010

Our sympathy goes out to Gregg’s entire family. I had the great pleasure of working with Greg on so many issues involving water, the environment and the Colorado River. It was always a joy to be with him, laugh with him and hear his great stories. On and off the professional playing field Greg was the best of the best. He will be truly missed.

Colorado River Commission of Nevada

Jack Lavelle

August 4, 2010

Gregg was my good friend. We worked together 11 years at the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

I was out of state and unable to attend the memorial service or I could have expressed my feelings for Gregg in a more intimate setting.

I will say simply that Gregg's loss diminishes all of us who knew and loved him.

Jane Lyder

August 3, 2010

Dear Jackie, Kristen, Eric and Erin,

I worked with Gregg when he was at the Department of the Interior. I also had a chance to work with him more recently on the landmark Arizona Water Rights Settlement Acts of 2004. Gregg reminded us all that we could enjoy each other even if we were working and even if we had different viewpoints. He was a pleasure to know and be around. I am so sorry we have lost him. You are in the thoughts and prayers of many people here at Interior.

John Shields

August 2, 2010

Jackie and all of the family,
I am so very sorry for your loss and wish to express my deepest condolences. I knew Gregg for a number of years - would not see him all that often but he and I always had a nice conversation when I did see him. He was definitely a caring person; a man who you felt like you had known a long time; a friend who would be a friend for life. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. The AZ DWR, Arizona and the world are a poorer place for him leaving us. May God grant you his peace and understanding at this terribly difficult time.

Greg Lantz

August 2, 2010

I was privileged to observe Gregg's work in moderating the negotiation of the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act of 2004. He was masterful, with his extensive knowledge of the law and political landscape, his patience, and his good humor. He leaves some pretty big shoes to fill.

James Standring

August 2, 2010

I was deeply saddened by the news of Gregg's passing. I came to know Gregg during a "semester in practice" at ADWR in the Fall of 1998. I liked Gregg a great deal and learned much from him. And he tolerated me. I will remember him fondly.

Kathy Schock

August 2, 2010

Our thoughts and our prayers are with you all. I can only smile at the memories I have of Gregg back to some great Yankton College times. I wish we had stayed in touch better, but always enjoyed seeing him when I did. Several people had asked me about Gregg at the recent YC reunion. He will be missed.

Janet Regner

August 2, 2010

It is with shock and sadness that I wish Gregg's family the deepest sympathies. Gregg was a true class act. Not a bureaucrat, but someone who used his God-given talents everyday to try to make Arizona a better place by providing the avenues for one of our necessities of life: water. He will be greatly missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.

Nan Flores

August 2, 2010

Gregg was an amazing person, friend and co-worker. Every morning I looked forward to his wit and humor, yet admired his knowledge and respected his experience. He was well known for his 'cowboy boot' fashion and "Hey!" greeting. I am overwhelmed in sadness that such a good person has left us, yet am very fortunate to have known him. Jackie, I know the emptiness is great, but there are a lot of friends that loved Gregg and you, and hope our prayers and thoughts can help you through this difficult time.

Steve Bottini

August 1, 2010

It is with profound sadness that we bid adieu to Gregg. Although I've known him for only a few years, we shared a passion for cooking and good wine. I'm really going to miss that. I am glad to have called him a friend, as my life is richer for the experience. Both Kathy and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Jackie and the rest of Gregg's family. May you find the strength to endure the coming days and months, and take comfort knowing he's with God now.

Kim Cooper

August 1, 2010

I've known Gregg since 1962. A life long best friend. We never were out of touch, Gregg would not have let that happen. He touched Lynn and my lives in only positive ways. He will be loved always and missed forever.

Kim and Lynn Cooper, Ashland, Nebraska

August 1, 2010

MaryEllen Schneider

August 1, 2010

Caring is the perfect word to describe Gregg. But I'm sure everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him will also remember his gentle soul and his fun-loving personality.

Richard and I toasted Gregg last night at Ravinia, knowing how much he loved a good picnic, a good glass of wine, and good friends.

Our hearts go out to Jackie and the whole Houtz family. The world is a sadder place without Gregg in it. We miss him already.

Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results