LOUIS E. WITTE

August 29, 1952 January 15, 2024

Bakersfield Louis E. Witte was born August 29, 1952, in Taft, California to Philip and Leah Witte. He attended Midway Elementary in Fellows and graduated from Taft Union High School where he lettered in swimming. Fellows provided the perfect backdrop for a boy to adventure out on a dune buggy, hang out on the front steps of Fellows Hotel or venture out to see the brilliant stars of Midway Peak. He met his first wife, Debbie Hull, at TUHS. They would later marry and have two daughters, Christy and Martha.

After high school, Louis began taking the reins of Dacus and Witte Production Service, which became P. Witte Enterprises, an oil well servicing company his parents founded. He was a designer by nature and his ingenious creativity conceived the first of several robotic oilwell service patents used for operations. One patent, Iron Lou 2 (IL2), named after the designer/fabricator himself, was so impressive the Colombian government invited him to Bolivia to showcase. He sold this patent along with his company to Key Energy. Afterwards, he bought a small oil lease in Lost Hills which catapulted into an oil production business.

Louis had a lifelong passion for the oilfields jokingly saying his clothes needed an oil change. He enjoyed shooting at the Kern County Gun Club, traveling, hunting, fishing, and all the adventures life offered. Louis was wise and lovingly shared his knowledge with his brother, daughters, and grandchildren.

He is survived by his brother Kenny Witte (Virgie), his daughters, Christy Witte Munn and Martha Witte, his grandchildren, Seth and Garrett Munn, Caris Clayton (Zach) and great-granddaughter, Collins Clayton along with several cousins.

Louis passed away in the presence of family January 15, 2024, in Bakersfield, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents Philip and Leah Witte.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 23, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. at the Kern County Museum's Neon Courtyard, 3801 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

www.bakersfield.com/obits

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

Published by Bakersfield Californian on Feb. 2, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Louis Witte

13 Entries

Albert Cranford

February 22, 2024

First of all, my condolence goes out to the Witte family and friends. well, Louie and I were neighbors for probably 1112 years. I´m guessing somewhere like that, there are so many things that we did together in that garage of his, I helped him build a beach buggy that had a 427 Chrysler hemi in it, we used to make paper bombs out of the oxygen and selling and set them off. We used to go Hunting I used to go on trips with them. I guess what I´m getting at is that I really don´t have any favorite that I did. With Louis because everything that I did with Louise was special , you know I was just 11-year-old kid across the street or however, young I was and Louise was probably 17 something like that it didn´t matter what time of day what time of night if those garage lights were on he was expecting me to come over, and I was expected to be there . So anybody that knew Louis Witte they didn´t only know a great guy, but they knew an entrepreneur, a designer, a crafty guy, and in my book he would go down as a legend for all the things that he invented, going to Brazil opening up his own oil lease , working on his dad`s rigs. I spent many days and nights with witte family. So the celebration of life that is tomorrow I get to meet his girls for the first time, so thank you Louis Witte for being a good neighbor, a good friend, and just in all around great guy.RIP.

Myles and Stephanie Dahlberg

February 22, 2024

He was an amazing man! We are blessed to have known him. He will be very missed by all whose lives he touched! Rest in Peace Lou.

Wendy Dotson

February 21, 2024

Louie when it comes to saying you´ve got big shoes to fill that is literary the truth ! You have to be one of the most smartest upfront tell it like it is person I have ever met. I would get so nervous when you would ask me a question because I know you already knew the answer although it would be an odd question how many molecules are in a bottle of ranch dressing . Lol just something crazy like that. I will surely miss making the peanut butter cookies around the holidays with you polishing your KitchenAid in between every batch of cookies, making those life-changing purple eggs that are to die for. I traumatized you that day, making all those cake bites. I traumatized myself, but it was fun and memories to last a lifetime. And eating your amazing ribs like a caveman. The last minute hurry up right now. Lunch orders or dinner dates. I loved calling Christy saying Wayne Witte , or Louie Dotson just spoke and gave orders .As Christy and I would want to pull our hair out trying to keep up with you and Wayne and your mind changing. I wouldn´t change it for the world. Or how Ornery you would be. Fish gaucho will never be the same without you Brown butter cookie company although I did trip and fall gave you guys all a good laugh. And especially the trip to Vivant cheese company where we would go in for a type of cheese and walk out of there two hours later spending hundreds of dollars and cheese lol . Uncle, I love you to pieces and I sure miss you!

Ken Finstad

February 20, 2024

25 years ago I was sent to Bakersfield to set up an oil company I went directly to California Oil Authorities and asked who is the best service rig operator I was told Louis Witte. Louis did not disappoint. This past two years we have been testing a deep horizontal well in northern Montana a well we refer to as the well from hell. Louis loved a challenge we had many discussions. My favorite Louis when he called saying "Ken you know what" . Truly miss you Louis

Wendy Dotson

February 20, 2024

Louie was a man of many words and very big shoes to fill like seriously . When he asked you a question it would make me so nervous because if you know Louie you know he already knows the answer! Louie had a heart of gold . And so very ornery. The Holidays will for ever be so different. I will sure miss baking the kiss cookies and polishing the kitchen aid as we used it , and making the purple eggs . His bbq ribs were life changing , and our trips to Fish Gaucho, brown butter cookie Company, and Vivant cheese Company ! When Louie would created or manufacture something it was complete overkill . He built a patio for me at my house, and it was suitable for two-story. He put lights out in the yard that can light up a football stadium. Uncle I miss you so much . I have looked up to you always and forever! I LOVE YOU

Gary Lumpkins

February 18, 2024

I still remember the ride Louis gave to me in his brand new boss 302 mustang. i lived down street from Louis parents. i asked him, "is it fast?" he said "get in, I´ll give you ride". we went on the back road from fellows to Taft. I was scared the all the way while Louis was laughing the whole time.he said "how did like that Gary wasn´t that fun?" I could barely talk I was so scared.
Another funny story about Louis, we were camping at Pismo beach .Louis & I went out in the dunes because he wanted to smoke a cigar & debbie didn´t like him smoking cigars. we were drinking a beer and smoking a cigar hiding from her in the sand dunes. we heard Debbie yelling "Louis!", about that time she came up over the dunes & she was very upset at both of us. Louis looked at me & said, "well that didn´t go too well!"

Dave Driskill

February 15, 2024

Louie was one of a kind and a great deal of fun. Drilling wells can be a pain at times but drilling for Louie was always a pleasure. He will be greatly missed by all

Anonymous

February 11, 2024

Oh Louis, I miss you already. A few of your favorite sayings include, “Get up, do something, even if it’s wrongjust do something.” “You can rest when you[’re] [g]one”. I know you’re resting giving someone else holy heck! I feel your presence, still, and hope that never ends. Eternally yours

Brian O´Dell

February 2, 2024

Worked with louis in the late 90´s,
There was no such thing as a bad day when Louis was around, his sense of Humor would always cheer you up. My condolences to the family.

Hunter Muth

February 1, 2024

My favorite memory of Louis was the first time I had met him which was at out at 5 dogs shooting range and he was put on the same team I was. He noticed some things I was doing wrong while shooting and gave me a tip that helped me improve tremendously on being consistent with my shots and I will never forget that.

Sincerest Condolences,
Hunter Muth

Ann Coker

February 1, 2024

To Ken and all the family-- So sorry to read about Luis´s passing. We send our thoughts, condolences and prayers your way. I have many good memories of of Luis at Midway and beyond.
From Mrs. Ann (Ewan) Coker

Kelly Chambers

January 31, 2024

Very kind funny guy
I'm so sorry for the families loss

Gary Karr

January 30, 2024

I remember getting so excited as a child when Louis would come to visit my dad or we would go to his house. He was funny and calm and always made me laugh.
I just heard of his passing and my prayers go out to his family.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results