Quinton Studer

Quinton "Quin" David Studer

Quinton "Quin" David Studer passed away Monday, Jan. 26, after a short illness at Hope House Hospice in Fort Myers, Fla.

Quin was born July 21,1920 to Agnes Belle and Louis Levy "LL" Studer in Osawatomie, Kan., where his father worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and served as mayor.

The youngest of four boys, Quin's parents and brothers moved to Sedalia, Mo., as his father's career with the railroad progressed. Quin was an avid artist in school and loved all things mechanical.

LL sent 19-year-old Quin to Chicago to learn how to be a diesel mechanic for Electro-Motive. Quin worked there for the next 49 years in the mechanical and then engineering departments.

In 1941 his life changed when at a carnival he spotted Shirley Sengstock. To say she had him from hello is an understatement. Married March 24, 1942, Quin would spend the next 72-plus years idolizing "lovely" Shirley as he called her.

In 1943 Quin joined the Navy and left to serve in World War II as his young wife was expecting their first child. Quin served aboard the USS MACAW and survived a typhoon the ship encountered during a failed rescue mission. After World War II, Quin returned home to Shirley and his now two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Susan. In 1951 a son, Quinton Dean, joined the family.

Quin always worked multiple jobs. Besides his job at Electro-Motive, he worked a number of other jobs and was known by his neighbors as the neighborhood handyman. Upon retirement from Electro Motive, he worked on oilrigs in the Gulf of Mexico, teaching diesel mechanics. Always on the lookout for projects, one of his last ones was remodeling suite 7 in Harbortown, an office complex in Gulf Breeze, Fla., for the Studer Group.

Quin and Shirley divided their time after retirement between Wisconsin and Fort Myers. Quin worked very hard being a great husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather.

He loved spending time with family and made it obvious when he had a good hand in cards by laughing until he cried. He always wore his heart on his sleeve.

Till his last breath, Quin showed great love and affection.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan (12/01/14). He is survived by his wife, Shirley; son-in law, Jerry Knight; his son, Quint Studer and his wife, Rishy, of Pensacola, Fla., five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Grandchildren include Quin and his wife Donelle Studer of Janesville, Wis., and their children Quin and Weston; Bekki Kennedy and her husband, Shannon, of Janesville, Wis., and their children Cooper, Caiden, Katye Grace and Owen); Katye Chwala and her husband Randy of Lake Mills, Wis., and their son Tommy; granddaughter Mallory Studer and her fiancé Steve Schenck of Pensacola; and grandson Michael Studer of Chicago.

Quin was the original firestarter. He carried a spark for loving and living and his fire continues through those he touched.

In lieu of flowers, just treat people kindly.

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