Keith Stolzle PhD

Keith George Stolzle was born on June 9, 1927, in Woodlawn, Louisiana and grew up there. He passed away peacefully with family members at his bedside at the Veterans Home in Jennings, LA on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
Dr. Stolzle was a true Renaissance Man. As a member of St. John Lutheran Church, he often said he loved his church. He moved to Lake Charles in 1968 and made it his home. In January 2024 following a fall, he moved to the Veterans Home in Jennings, Louisiana. Although adjusting was difficult, he enjoyed talking with his caregivers, watching the birds, and pet therapy days.
He graduated from Lacassine High School. He went to Army Specialized Training Schools at Texas Tech University and Las Cruces New Mexico University. He then went to LSU where received four degrees including two Bachelor's degrees in Math and German, a Master's degree in German, and a PhD in Physical Chemistry that was completed in 1968. Dr. Stolzle was a professor at LSUE, then at McNeese where he retired in 1994. He served in the US Army in Germany near the end of World War II. His favorite jobs were in the offshore oil industry as a Derrick Man first to pay for college, then later in life because he loved to work hard. He often spent his spare time roofing and cutting down trees for friends and family. When he wasn't hard at work, Dr. Stolzle entertained family, friends, and acquaintances with stories and tales of his trips and life experiences.
Dr. Stolzle loved to read, study, and travel. He was a lifelong learner and studied in Germany on a Fulbright Scholarship. He spoke five languages and enjoyed blessing his food in one, two, or three languages. His food was blessed well. In his later years, he would give his greetings and goodbyes in German, French, or Russian to anyone he met. He often spoke of his travels to Germany and Yugoslavia. He went to Russia twice to repair a Luther Church. The Russians had used it as a munitions plant during the war. Dr. Stolzle and his wife were generous in supporting many charitable organizations through the years.
His wife, Helge Kuehl Stolzle, his parents, Joseph and Louvina Georgia Goss Stolzle, his sister, Joan Marlene Stolzle Hammer, and nephew Bryce Miller predeceased him.
He is survived by three sisters Lula Christine Stolzle Singletary of Woodlawn, LA, Barbara Lee Stolzle Miller of Gonzales, TX, and Greta Elaine Stolzle Gorham of Eunice, LA. His nieces, nephews, and friends are left to cherish his memory. His nieces and nephews often called him "Uncle Teese" or "Uncle Him." At the VA Home most of the employees and staff called him Uncle Keith.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 1 PM on August 3, 2024 at St. John Lutheran Church with Pastor Charles Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 9 AM until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow at Pinehill Cemetery on Pinehill Cemetery Road, Iowa, LA.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to St. John Lutheran Church, Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child, or the Southwest LA Veterans Home Activities Fund.
Visitation:
Saturday, August 3, 2024
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
St. John Lutheran Church
600 University Dr
Lake Charles, LA 70605
Service of Remembrance:
Saturday, August 3, 2024
1:00 pm
St. John Lutheran Church
600 University Dr
Lake Charles, LA 70605