RICHARD J LUTZ

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University of Michigan

RICHARD LUTZ Obituary

1938 - 2018
Richard J. "Dick" Lutz, editor/publisher of "The Main Street WIRE" (Roosevelt Island, NY) from 1996-2016, died March 18, 2018 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL. Born November 19, 1938 in Dunkirk, NY, Lutz authored "Jadwiga's Crossing," about the great Polish migration, and had ready a second novel, "Jadwiga's America." With two degrees from the University of Michigan, Lutz was a lifelong journalist, and a pilot, pianist, tech guru, award-winning public TV station manager, and best friend to many, who will greatly miss him. A Celebration of Life will be held later in the spring, and will be announced at www.mainstreetwire.com (top of the page), and on Facebook at https://tinyurl.com/WIREFB. Contributions in his memory may be made to "The Main Street WIRE" (not tax-deductible) at www.mainstreetwire.com (top of the page) or sent to 20 River Road, #19H, New York, NY 10044. The "Main Street WIRE" obituary is at https://tinyurl.com/WIREOBIT.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Apr. 3 to Apr. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD LUTZ

10 Entries

Matthew M Katz

March 28, 2025

Dick was my best friend on Roosevelt Island and my editor when I wrote a column in The Main Street WIRE. Every morning I look at a birthday card Dick sent to my wife Sherie. It is a series of photos of Sherie as her hair color "evolved" over the years. Makes me smile and miss Dick even more.

Susan D Stanaway

March 28, 2025

ot a week goes by without me thinking about you - the stepfather I always wanted. I remember all of the fun adventures when I would come home from college and drive around in your blue convertible Mercedez, I remember the great conversations and debates about local and global issues. I loved your grandpa's kindness when I brought the kids to NYC, where they loved to ride the tram to Rossevelt Island. You took them to see The LION KING! What a highlight. That and their excitement calling you from the top of the World Trade Towers. Thank you for embracing my husband and family as yours, I miss you,

Matthew Katz

March 28, 2022

I have a framed copy of the November 19, 2016 gag issue of The Main Street WIRE, honoring Dick as he retired from editing and publishing the newspaper, on my office wall and I smile every time I pass it. Can it be that Dick is gone four years? Roosevelt Island is a less informed community without him and I miss is encouragement and friendship.

Matthew Katz

March 30, 2020

Dick (never Richard!) was my friend, my editor, my source for information journalistic and a superb raconteur. I find myself wanting to share community tidbits with him or to ask a question or to get together to do something fun and then...remembering. I hope the sequel to "Jadwiga's Crossing" will be published some day. He is truly missed.

Sherie Helstien

May 7, 2018

Dick was my "boss" at the Main Street WIRE for about 16 years, for whom I dutifully worked to make sure that newspaper was distributed free to every single apartment door in our community. Not always an easy job. He was always full of ideas of "how to get things done" and happy to have others do them! He was my "tormentor", and then I'd finally catch on to the fact that he was nearly always teasing me with his wry sense of humor and his too many and too candid photos of me...I miss his friendship, generosity, patience, and, of course, his beautiful, booming, resonant announcer's voice...

Matthew Katz

May 4, 2018

Dick was my editor on The Main Street WIRE, my advisor as I ran for Island office and worked to bring a taste of democracy to Roosevelt Island, but most of all, he was my good friend. I miss him terribly.

Ashton Barfield

May 2, 2018

The Celebration of the Life of Dick Lutz will be on Saturday, May 19, from 1 - 3 pm in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd on Roosevelt Island (New York City).

Directions:

BY TRAM
Catch the Tram at 60th Street and 2nd Avenue. Exit the Tram station, walk toward Manhattan, turn right, and walk north along Main Street with Manhattan on your left. Pass several buildings on your right, including the subway station, then pass one large apartment building on your left. The next building on your left is the Chapel of the Good Shepherd (in the middle of a large plaza).
From the Tram, you can also take the Red Bus (free) three stops to the Chapel. You can ask the bus driver to let you know when you're at the Chapel.

BY SUBWAY
Take the Queens-direction F train to Roosevelt Island. Exit the subway, turn right, and walk north along Main Street with Manhattan on your left. Pass several buildings on your right, then pass one large apartment building on your left. The next building on your left is the Chapel of the Good Shepherd (in the middle of a large plaza).
From the subway, you can also take the Red Bus (free) two stops to the Chapel. You can ask the bus driver to let you know when you're at the Chapel.

BY BUS
Take the Q102 from Queens to Roosevelt Island. There's a stop at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd (which is in the middle of a large plaza).

BY CAR
Immediately after crossing the Roosevelt Island Bridge from Queens, turn right into the Motorgate parking garage. Visitors may park anywhere that is not reserved. After parking, exit the garage at street level, turn left, and walk south on Main Street, past a school and then two large apartment buildings on your right. The next building on your right is the Chapel of the Good Shepherd (in the middle of a large plaza).

April 6, 2018

Marnie,
I loved Dick like the father I never had, and I am so sorry for your loss. I would like to know when the memorial will be held.

Sincerely,
Susan Stanaway

April 3, 2018

To his family.my condolence. May our god of love bring comfort into your lives. Mathew 5:4

Marnie Fondren

April 3, 2018

Your happy smile and special voice will live in my heart always. Wonderful memories are your precious gifts to those who loved you.YM

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