ROBERT "BOB" KLOTZ

1940 - 2022

ROBERT "BOB" KLOTZ, 82, of Fort Wayne and Naples, Fla., passed Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Fort Wayne. Bob was born Feb. 12, 1940 in Mishawaka, Ind. He graduated from Mishawaka High School and later was the first in the family to attend college, studying accounting, at Indiana University College of Business in Bloomington. He was president of the accounting club and proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at IU. Following graduation, he became a Certified Public Accountant while working for Price Waterhouse. Moving to South Bend in 1962, he was one of the original nine auditors opening the Price Waterhouse branch. Bob worked as the Comptroller of Eberhart Steel in Mishawaka, Ind., where he met Ernest "Ernie" Zeller. They together, along with partner Lou Major, formed Metalstamp, Inc., in Walkerton, Ind., in 1968. Later, Metalstamp was solely owned and operated by both Bob and Ernie and this new business grew, thus requiring a new facility that is still in operation, now located in South Bend. Bob eventually partnered with Joe Gentilla at Dallas Industries of Troy, Mich. Bob added his son David to the Dallas Industries team, and eventually retired. Bob was a supporter as a manufacturer and associate member of Precision Metalforming Association over the years. Bob's love of business and its people, kept him working as a self employed contractor in the metal stamping industry for years after his formal retirement. When he wasn't working, Bob enjoyed many sports. He was either playing tennis or golf, often with close friends, like long-time friend Clarence "Wit" Witsken, who preceded him in death. Bob dreamed of playing golf again with Wit on God's golf courses and tennis with his high school friend and Mishawaka tennis partner, John Goeller. His love of sports had him cheering on his Hoosiers' basketball, or Notre Dame's football and basketball teams. Many in South Bend may remember Bob as a past President of the Michiana Marlins swim team. Supporting his daughters Susan's and Robin's swimming, he volunteered at many swim meets and recruited others over a 10 year period. He traveled the region monthly for meets, and to keep in condition, even joined their 5 a.m. swim practices. He also supported Susan's soccer team at IU along with his son, David's long soccer career stretching from childhood Junior Irish team to the Miami University team. All of this, Bob shared with his bride of 61 years, Carolynn Travis (Springer) Klotz, whom he met, at age 14 and was smitten with, at Epworth Forest Methodist Church summer camp. Similar to a movie, Bob later spotted Travis in the halls at Mishawaka High. They rekindled their camp friendship. Bob and Travis married at the Willow Creek Methodist Church in Mishawaka, Ind., on June 17, 1961. They raised and loved three children, Susan Renee (David) Stouder of Fort Wayne, Robin Jo (Tony) Mireles of Marana, Ariz., and David Charles (Gretchen) Klotz of Birmingham, Mich. While Bob and Travis treasure their many friends, and are devoted to their three children, many heard wonderful stories of their six beloved grandchildren, Renee (Cory) Rospert of Delaware, Ohio, Carolynn Stouder of Fort Wayne, Christian and Gabrielle Mireles, both of Marana, Ariz., Justin and Kylie Klotz, both of Birmingham, Mich.; and of their two cherished great- grandsons, Parker and Mason Rospert, both of Delaware, Ohio. Being an only child, Bob cherished his grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and cousins that he would spend summers with as a young teen in Nappanee. He continued to visit with many of them and often told stories of helping with the general chores of farm life in Indiana. As a teen, Bob helped his father harvest and distill mint on their farm near Bremen. At Christmas time Bob returned to the Klotz Family Tree farm, also near Bremen, where he had worked with his father planting trees. In addition to his SAE fraternity, Bob was a Boy Scout, ROTC at IU, a 60+ year member of the Freemasons in Mishawaka, member of the South Bend Scottish Rite, Board Member from 1980 to 1990 of The National Bank of South Bend, later known as First Interstate Bank of Northern Indiana, member of the South Bend Country Club, member of Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Fla., and an active member of the Republican Party. While regretfully not being able to attend many in-person church services since the pandemic, Bob streamed services. When younger, he was instrumental in establishing Clay United Methodist Church on W. Cleveland Road in South Bend, which started in an engineer building on Notre Dame's campus. Bob and few others were key in securing the funds and vision for the first sanctuary, along with future additions and growth, in later years. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Harley Klotz; mother, Mildred (Wood) Klotz; both his paternal and fraternal grandparents; wife, Travis; and Travis' parents, Charles and Hazel Springer. Funeral service is 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2022, at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne (IN 46825), with viewing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Reception to follow. Burial service is 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Fairview Cemetery, 1415 N. Main St., Mishawaka (IN 46545). In lieu of flowers, Bob wishes for donor's to support the American Diabetes Foundation and Alzheimer's Association. He would have liked to thank all of the doctors, nurses and staff at Parkview North Hospital, Ashton Creek and especially at StoryPoint. Their professional care of him is greatly appreciated.