Robert Samuel Kintz

Robert Samuel Kintz, 76, of Chapel Hill, NC, died peacefully on August 31, 2025, at the UNC Hospice Home in Hillsborough, NC. He was born March 11, 1949, in Philadelphia, PA, son of Robert Verrette Kintz and Jeannette Ruggiero Kintz. As a graduate of Rutgers University, he spent most of his life in the Northeast, then moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL, in 1992 to be with the love of his life, Deborah Balsamo. Shortly thereafter, they moved together to Chapel Hill where they were married.

Robert was a classical ballet dancer, a brilliant choreographer, and teacher. Robert owned and operated a ballet school with an enrollment of 450+ in Wilkes Barre, PA, where he trained and coached several talented dancers to successful professional careers. He continued dancing in recent years at American Dance Festival with Gerri Houlihan and her troupe of former dancers in the Big Red Dance Project.

After moving to North Carolina in 1995 Robert began working at UNC in a variety of roles across campus and became an avid Tar Heels fan. He retired in 2014 but continued supporting his Heels by serving as a track and field official and an usher in Kenan Stadium during 10 football seasons. He played in a regular poker group with his buddies. He loved golf and played as much as he could until back issues prevented it.

Robert was much loved by his family. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Deborah Balsamo. He was stepfather to Gina Balsamo Wyman (Joseph), Joanna Balsamo Robinson, and Neal Jack; adored grandfather (Ahpoo) to Julia and Elliott Wyman and (Robbie) to Alex and Taylor Jack; brother-in-law of Lawrence Smiglewski and Stephen Barker; Uncle Bob to Larry Smiglewski, and Krista and Emilia Sant’anna (Alex), and Uncle Robert to Austin Barker. Robert was predeceased by his beloved sister, Jeannette Smiglewski, on March 24, just 159 days earlier.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2:00-4:00pm at Endswell Funeral Home, located at 407 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Robert’s memory be made to the following: Big Red Dance Project or Young@Heart Chorus