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Robert Litz Obituary
3 October 1950 - 10 October 2012
Robert Joseph Litz, 62, of Los Angeles and Berkeley, CA and Princeton, NJ died October 10, 2012 at his home in Los Angeles. He was born October 3,1950 in Cleveland, OH to Mary Millik Litz and the late William E. Litz. He is survived by his mother, several cousins and many close friends including Michael Nylan. Mr. Litz was raised in Cleveland's Mount Pleasant neighborhood and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1968. He completed his undergraduate degree at Boston University, where he was editor of the literary magazine. He earned a MTS in American Studies from Harvard University in 1975. Mr. Litz entered the theatre world as a press agent for the New England Repertory Theatre in Worcester, MA. Eventually he had roles in several productions. In the early 1980s, Mr. Litz shifted to writing plays, gaining acclaim in 1983 for his play, Great Divide, which was subsequently produced off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop in 1984. Mr. Litz wrote seventeen produced plays for Off-, Off-off Broadway, the regional theatres, and for the Elephant Theatre Company where he was Playwright in Residence beginning in 2005. Much of his work focused on social and political themes. Mr. Litz wrote several television shows for A&E, History and Discovery including the A&E Biographies George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson and Emmy-nominated John Travolta. For A&M Films, he wrote the original screenplay for Twister. Other produced films included House of Cards, Medium Straight and Rappin'. He produced the indie film Ten Tricks. Theatre highlights included: One World (NAACP Best Play & Best Ensemble nominee); Douglas (Portland Critics, Best Play); Playing the Room (Juno Award nominee for Best Film on a Musical Subject); Mobile Hymn (Dramalogue Award, Best Play) and Cycles (Best of 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival). Cycles won rave reviews and had just completed a successful run at The Asylum Theatre and Lab on October 7, 2012. Mr. Litz was simultaneously working with Michael Nylan on a children's book set in Han China, plays about the U.S. Supreme Court and had a feature documentary, Madaraka & Jaffar Climb Kiliminjaro (Becketfilms) in post-production. Mr. Litz won the 2012 Burger Prize for writing on the theatre. He was a member of the Actors Studio (Playwrights/Directors Unit), the WGAW, and LA Stage Alliance.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Litz
Stephen Weninger
March 31, 2022
Bob was a close friend growing up in Cleveland. We lost touch long ago, but I was happy, though not surprized, to learn how succesful he was and how much he was loved. And how strange it was that two boys from St. Cecilia were both in Hong Kong at the same time without knowing it. It was an honor to have know him and his parents. They were the salt of the earth.
Stephen Weninger
Donna
October 10, 2021
It's hard to believe it's been nine years since your passing. I think of you often. I miss you cousin. Rest in peace.
Say hello to Aunt Mary and Uncle Will. Give them a hug from me. Donna
March 6, 2013
Only by accident did I stumble across this news. I last saw Bob toward the end of 1972, a year after he and I hitchhiked to Cleveland together in what became a frightening blizzard, an event I've recounted endless times since. We had grown up less than a mile apart but first met at college in Boston. I was always sorry we lost touch in the early '70s and had always wondered what became of this sensitive, caring, and talented soul, and now I see. It's heartening to see how many people have poured out their hearts on this site. You are remembered well, Bob. -Howard Williams, New York
Tony Campisi
November 26, 2012
From the halls of St. Cecelia to the grounds of the O'Neill Playwrights Conference to theatre in LA. We met when we were grade school altar boys and you devoted your life to trying to make this world a little better through your writing. I was proud to be your friend and colleague. Rest in peace, Bobby. The world is now a more empty place.
Jennifer Polivka
November 14, 2012
Robert was a man of great eloquence and integrity. It was his mix of reserved patience and creative fire I always enjoyed so much about him. He extended great hospitality to me by giving me a place to live and helping me to find my way about Los Angeles when I moved there from Ohio at the age of 22. I have always been grateful for that generosity. He cared so deeply for his family and had such genuine goodness down to his bones. We were lucky to have shared time with him in his life.
November 13, 2012
November 13, 2012
My cousin Bob, your light lives on through the love you shared with all of us. You made the world a better place.
Peggy Millik McBane
November 4, 2012
Bob Litz missed so deeply by our family.
Peggy Millik McBane
November 4, 2012
Lothar von Falkenhausen
October 30, 2012
Bob was a model of decency, of optimism, and of good sense. On any topic of importance, he could be relied upon for an original and well-articulated opinion that invariably made better sense than the rest. And yet he was never strident--he was quietly convincing. He left a deep impression even with those who only met him on rare occasions. Honor to his memory!
Dominic Rains
October 29, 2012
My dearest Bob, where would I begin my friend. It's been a couple of weeks and ur passing has been a very surreal moment in my life. We grew close over the last 6 months and as close as we got, I wish I would've bugged you more often. I wish I had a hundred more questions for you.
You made my journey through Buzz a pleasant one and to be honest I felt like I was just warming up, 'just gettin started' as Jake would say.
Thank u for writing and having me play one of the best and one of my favorite characters to date. It was a true honor.
Thank u for trusting me and giving me a shot. Thank u for your advice and passion.
I learned a great deal from u, both as an actor and a human being. Most of all I took away that no matter how good or how bad it gets, there's always a new day to explore possibilities and continue the groundwork.
You were one beautiful man, with charm and charisma always oozing. Bless ur soul my friend. May you rain down that infectious smile and always Rest in paradise...I'll see you in due time.
Your friend forever.
Bob in Cairo
Mary Erbaugh & Dick Kraus
October 27, 2012
Bob was a wonderful, stimulating and patient friend. But he was especially fun to travel with. Bob walked every street in Hong Kong and Nanjing, and almost every street in Cairo. He'd study up on the language, and talk an amazing variety of people. Here's a photo from a Cairo Market near Midaq Alley, site of the Mafouz novel that he had read in advance. Thank you, Mrs. Litz, for raising such a fine human being.
October 26, 2012
I would like to send my condolence to you and your family. May the God of all Comfort, comfort you and give you strength. Romans 15:1-5
October 25, 2012
Robert had the rare quality of being talented and giving. He was honest, sweet, sharp, forgiving, funny, warm...you can't teach anyone warmth, you have it or you don't and Robert had it. I so miss him.
His work was and is beautiful. I'm grateful we have his plays because in them we can glimpse and embrace Robert in his revealing talent.
I haven't been able to process this passing. I saw him and talked with him two or three times a week and it was always the same...I looked forward to his sweet smile and ready sense of humor.
Robert was a can do guy in a can don't don't. I'm going to miss the hell out of him.
Bye, good man, good boy, good.
love,
mark kemble
Summer 2012 "CYCLES" by Robert Litz
Stefan Lysenko
October 25, 2012
Almost two years ago, Robert showed up at one of the theater productions that I was directing in Hollywood and after the show, we decided that we should explore the possibilities of working together due to our heartfelt discussion after the show. Even though we were both part of the Actors Studio PD unit, we had to exchange contact info. as we were mere acquaintances. Robert sent me 4 scripts and after reading the first (CYCLES)I knew I had a writer and a play that mattered. We work-shopped the script at the Actors studio for several months in 2011 as Robert made adjustments and trims during staged readings. In late 2011, we finally settled on a 54 page CYCLES script, which started at well over 100 pages. Robert and I then started to work on the CYCLES production as a two man production crew as we found our wonderful cast (Alan Rosenberg & Dominic Rains), rehearsed in my home daily, collected the props, set the lights and made up the programs for the 2012 Fringe Festival. CYCLES was an immediate hit and as the crowds grew, Robert glowed night after night as his smile lit up the corner of Santa Monica and Vine Street, before and after each performance. CYCLES was a hit!!! After winning "Best of the Fringe" CYCLES was offered an extended run at the larger Asylum Theater and Robert was in his groove. Even though we had seen each other 4 or 5 times per week during our 2012 run, we never got tired of meeting up at the theater night after night, unloading the bikes out of the back of his red truck, setting the stage and watching the magic unfold. Our final show was the most magical and special of all, as many of Roberts friends came out of the woodwork to show up. We had wine and cheese after the show and we all celebrated on the CYCLES stage, which came to be Roberts real heartfelt home. At the end of the night, my wife and I helped Robert load the two bikes into his red truck for the final time and after our good by hugs had finished, he was off, down Vine Street smiling from ear to ear. That was the last time that I saw Robert as he pasted a day or two later. With all this being said, I feel that Robert is with me daily as I struggle on as he did to keep the creative flame going. I am a very very lucky man because I got to spend more time with Robert than anyone during the last year and a half of his life. I learned so much, felt so much, enjoyed so much and shared so much and I am truly thankful to Robert Litz.... my very very special friend.
-Stefan Lysenko Dir. CYCLES (2012)
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http://www.examiner.com/article/best-of-hollywood-fringe-12-weekend-one-recap
Virginia Bower
October 25, 2012
I always looked forward to Bob's bright smile and infectious laugh. He was a dear and supportive friend. My condolences to his loved ones.
Pam Roylance
October 25, 2012
Bob was one of those rare gifts who humbly and gracefully touched hearts and enriched lives. He lead by example, always ready with working hands, helpful suggestions, comforting words, supportive feedback, and a warm hug, handshake or smile. He was a kind soul. Even though it was only for a brief moment in time, I will cherish having known him as a friend,and worked with him at the theatre. It was an honor to have performed in one of his plays. And those who did, will agree it was an even richer gift to have received his lovely thank you note at the end of the run. He never failed to take the time to thank and congratulate those who brought his words to life. He seemed to move so gently and authentically through this world. My memory of him will forever brighten me, just as seeing him did. I extend both my sympathy and gratitude to all of the dear family members and friends whose influence added to who Bob was and how he lived. There is a little part in all of us that is better having shared some of the journey with him. May we find peace in his memory, and joy in his words and teachings as they live on for others to experience. Thank you for the gifts you leave in our hearts, Bob. God's Blessings to you now.
October 25, 2012
We will always remember Bob's dazzling smile and delightful laugh. We send condolences to Bob's mother and cousins, and deep symphathy to Michael, whom Bob loved truly, wholly and deeply. Kent, Alice, William and Leslie Stoltzman
Dylan Jones
October 24, 2012
Bob-you are the essence of collaboration
Godspeed my friend
Shirley
October 22, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
October 21, 2012
Dearest Mary .... Rich and I are were deeply saddened to learn of Bob's passing. I could not believe what I was reading in today's obituaries and my heart aches for you so much. Please accept our deepest sympathy. I know in my heart he is with his dad and they are surrounding you with their love and devotion as they always did while on this earth. May God give you strength at this most difficult time.
Love...
Bernie & Rich Grejtak
October 21, 2012
We are all incredibly sad at the loss of Bob. He lit up any room he entered and was a great raconteur. Love and sympathy to those who survive him. Chris, Freda and Jen Murck.
John and Mary Zablotney
October 21, 2012
So sorry for your loss, may God bless you in your sorrow.
Laura Thornton
October 17, 2012
When I joined the "Thornton" part of the family, Bobby and I would spend hours talking at the Litz family reunions. A great person, but even a greater loss. Tom and Laura
Donna Dolsak
October 16, 2012
I was fortunate to get to visit with my cousin Bob this past summer. He was a gracious host. It was my first trip to California. Thanks to him , I got to step foot in the Pacific Ocean, see the Hollywood sign, go to a Dodgers game, visit the Tar Pits, the Observatory, see the Walk of Fame, and several other sites. I am so thankful we had this time together. I am proud of who he was and all of his accomplishments. I will miss him dearly. God Bless you and keep you in His care. Love, Cousin Donna
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