Robert K. Stolz Jr.

Robert K. (Bob) Stolz Jr. 1925 ~ 2012 Robert Kenneth Stolz Jr. (Bob) passed February 17, 2012 in Boise, Idaho. Robert was born in Dayton, Ohio on December 12, 1925 to Robert K. Stolz and Mabelle C. Stolz. Young Bobby moved with his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan at an early age. Bob met his lifelong love and future wife, Martha Louise Roderick (Marty), at East Grand Rapids Grade School and then at the Calla Travis School of Dance, when, at the age of 13, she asked him to be her partner for a dance and then he reciprocated. They started dating at age 15 while attending East Grand Rapids High School, spending leisure time riding bikes with friends and picnicking together. Bob was very athletic, a strong swimmer and avid sailor. He competed in regattas on Reed's Lake and throughout western Michigan, often with his older sister Connie and her future husband Bob Bennett. Bob attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana for one summer, again sailing competitively on Lake Maxinkuckee. In his senior year he transferred to Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA., where he graduated on the honor roll in 1943. Bob went to Lehigh University in 1943 & '44, and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity before enlisting in the navy and serving in Japan and China after the conclusion of WWII. He proposed to Marty immediately upon returning to Michigan (August 9, 1946) and they were married June 27, 1947. Bob and Marty first resided together in Bethlehem, PA. where Bob completed his Industrial Engineering Degree at Lehigh. At Lehigh, Bob also played on both varsity football and tennis teams; he graduated in 1948. Bob and Marty have 3 sons, born in 1948, 1952 & 1955, and devoted their lives to their three sons and families. Bob earned his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Chicago in 1954. Bob's specialties in structural design, manufacturing, productivity and regional management resulted in the many relocations and transfers for the Stolz family. They lived in Detroit MI, Western Springs IL., Madison WI, Clarendon Hills IL, and Holden MA. before moving to Boise in 1968. Bob worked for ALCOA (1948- '50), American Box Board Company / Packaging Corporation of America (1950 - '62), Worcester Molded Plastics (1962 - '66), Rand-Whitney (1966 - '68) and Boise Cascade from 1968 until his retirement in 1986. While at Boise Cascade Bob served as both Production Manager of the Corrugated Division (1968 - '79) and Director of Productivity for the corporation (1980 - '86). Bob believed strongly in "giving back" to his community. He was a very active member of Rotary clubs for 10 years. He worked on political campaigns and was a frequent 'letter to the editor' writer. For 18 years (1986 - '04) Bob was "a model" SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) counselor. Bob was active with the Boise Public Schools Education Foundation (1987 - '93), the Boise Greenbelt & Pathways Committee (1992 - '96), the Boise Foothills Steering Committee, and a member of the Boise Parks and Recreation Commission. He and his wife were weekend volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House. Bob was featured in "Portrait of a Distinguished Citizen" in a 1992 Idaho Statesman article. Bob and Marty gave generous donations to many colleges, universities, and charities, most notably the College of Idaho. Bob's leisure activities included backpacking, whitewater rafting, and skiing, often with his sons, their spouses, and grandchildren. Gardening, swimming, running, sailing, walking, bridge, tennis, golf, exercise, reading and dancing were additional passions. He and his wife were well known for dancing along to local Idaho musicians (single and duo), including good friend Billy Braun. Bob and Marty were also avid dog lovers. Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years Martha Roderick Stolz (Marty); sister Carolyn Stolz Bennett (Connie) of Grand Rapids, her husband Bob, nieces, and nephews; sons Robert Kenneth Stolz III (Ken) of Missoula, Roderick Arthur Stolz (Rick) and wife Sara of Boise, and Thomas Huston Stolz (Huston) and wife Becky of Spokane; Grandchildren Rhiannon of Portland, OR., Ryan of Spokane, Tommy of Boise and Robert of Missoula. A private family remembrance ceremony was held at Bob and Marty's home in Boise. The Stolz family wishes to thank the patient caregivers at Valley View for their years of care and service to Bob. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 101 Warm Springs, Boise, ID 83712; or the Stolz Family Endowed Scholarship at the College of Idaho, 2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID 83605. Remembrances and condolences may be left online www.summersfuneral.com.