Robert W. Lutz

Robert William Lutz, "Bob", native Floridian and lifelong resident of Tampa, passed away peacefully at the age of 69 on November 11, 2024 at Advent Health Connerton in Land O' Lakes, Florida. Bob's passing away followed complications from a severe illness shortly after Hurricane Helene brought flooding to the Tampa area. After spending a month in ICU and undergoing a leg amputation at St Joseph South, he was transferred to Connerton for extensive wound care and rehabilitation, with plans for home discharge. Filled with gratitude for his life and motivated to return home to care for his property and see his foster daughter Danni, Bob seemed to be on the mend. However, after two weeks at Connerton, he suddenly and unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest followed by septic shock. He passed away with family at his bedside.
Bob grew up in the Town 'n' Country area of Tampa, FL. A graduate of Jefferson High School he continued his education at the University of South Florida where he earned a B.A. in English in 1979 and later, in 1985, a B.S. in Civil Engineering.
Throughout his Career, Bob worked across a range of industries. His early work at a landscape company sparked a life long passion for plants and nature. To fund his college education, he worked various jobs – nurseryman, real estate salesperson and apartment maintenance technician. In 1981, he joined Phoenix Mortgage and Investment Corp. in Tampa as President and Licensed Mortgage Broker. His career progressed through positions with Paul W. Byrd., a Registered Land Surveyor, and Kimley-Horn and Associates, where he worked as an Instrumentman on roadway surveys for the for the D.O.T. He also supported roadway drainage designs, conducting calculations to meet regulatory standards. After receiving his engineering degree, Bob joined Tondelli Engineering and later worked with Pomco Associates as Geometry Control Engineer for Florida Suncoast Dome,( now Tropicana Field) in St. Petersburg. Bob's professional engineering career progressed as he later joined Architectural Concepts as Designer Engineer, K.E.M. Engineers as a Professional Engineer, Mohan Engineering as a Structural Engineer, USP Lumbar Connectors as Southeast Region, Engineering Manager, and Simpson Strongtie as chief quality control engineer
Bob was a Professional Engineer licensed in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Arizona. He was also Licensed as a Special Inspector in Florida.
Bob was an active member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers.
His interests and passions were as diverse as his career. Bob was known for his lively storytelling, a quick wit, and a talent for brightening others' days.
Bob, recently became a Cat Lover through the influence of his Foster Daughter, Danni with each of them adopting cats from their local shelter. Music was a lifelong love, starting with his first Guitar at age 10. A self taught guitarist, he enjoyed playing in small bands in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, even playing occasionally at the VFW.
Bob was an avid cyclist, often pedaling along the Tampa Causeway to Clearwater and exploring the scenic Pinellas Trail. A lover of the outdoors, he found joy in sailing, restoring boats he bought second- hand, and taking overnight trips along Florida's coastline. His skills extended to motorcycles, which he enjoyed riding along Florida's highways when not on his bike or sailboat.
From a young age, Bob demonstrated a knack for building and fixing things. At about age 10, he and his brother crafted a small boat, which he, his brother, and a couple of neighborhood friends loaded it up on a small wagon and rolled it from Town 'n' Country to Bay Crest for it's inaugural sail on Tampa Bay. In his twenties, Bob salvaged a 28 foot sailboat that had sunk in a hurricane and restored it completely. He took his family and friends sailing on it many times. He designed and built his own two story house on Tampa Bay in the port area, doing all of the work himself. It was his base of operations where he kept his sailboats, van, motorcycles, and his collections. His hobbies included collecting vintage vinyl records, music books, and guitars which became the centerpiece of gatherings with friends and family.
An Avid reader and lover of history, Bob amassed a significant book collection. When not in the great outdoors, he could often be found with a book in hand absorbing knowledge with the same passion he brought to his other interests. Bob, a baptized Catholic, continued seeking God throughout his lifetime, joining many Bible Study groups at various churches through the years, to grow in his faith. Bob's adventurous spirit extended to spontaneous road trips across Florida and beyond with his van or travel trailer, visiting friends and nurturing relationships that were important to him.
Bob's friends and family will remember him as a man of kindness, humor, and authenticity. He had a way of sharing his opinions and beliefs honestly, often wrapped in laughter and humor, and he stood firmly by his values. Known for his eclectic taste in hats and colorful shirts, Bob left an impression wherever he went.
In his 60's, Bob became legal guardian of his foster daughter, Danni Schumann of Tampa Florida. Bob had known Danni since her birth and shared some fun times with her during her childhood. She held a special place in Bob's heart and He cherished their relationship as her father figure.
Bob was predeceased by his father, Pratt Joseph Lutz of Canton, Mississippi. He is survived by his mother, Elfi Janssen Lutz of Alpen Germany now residing in Tampa Florida; his brother Michael Pratt Lutz and wife Mary Ellen Wolf of Engelwood, Colorado; niece Arianna Wolf with her husband Levi Griffin and their two children Coraline and Caden, his nephew Nick Lutz with his wife Aurora Randolph also of Englewood Colorado; sister, Helen Rose Lutz Mann and her husband Doran E. Mann of Spring Hill, FL; nephew, Eric Ryan Mann of Tampa Florida, with his wife Seiko Hayama Mann and their daughter, Alice Hayama Mann; nephew, Jason Brian Mann, his wife Melissa Henderson Mann and their daughter Adeline Grace Mann of Baton Rouge Louisiana; niece Brittany Lauren Mann of Spring Hill, Florida; brother Ronald Keith Lutz of Tampa Florida; and foster daughter, Danni Schumann of Tampa Florida.
Bob will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services will be held Monday, November 18
Dobies Funeral Home,
701 E. Tarpon Avenue,Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Visitation 11:00 AM -1:00 PM
Service: 1:00 PM
Burial: Trinity Memorial Gardens
12609 Memorial Drive,
Trinity, FL 34655