Robert Kutz grew up in a farmhouse in the county of Fresno with his parents, Orvin Sr. and Cecilia Kutz, his brother Orvin, who passed away when he was young, and his two sisters, Marilyn and Elaine. Robert attended Easterby Elementary and San Joaquin Memorial High School. He graduated Fresno City College, with an AA degree in Art.
Robert was hired by the California Division of Forestry in 1951 and worked there until he was drafted by the United States Army. He served in Germany after World War II as a tank commander. After his honorable discharge, he returned to his job at the Division of Forestry, where he worked many different jobs, including brick maker, engineer, fire investigator, and Peace Officer. But his real passion was as a Fire Prevention Officer.
When Robert was stationed in Sanger, he worked with the elementary schools throughout Fresno County telling every student the story of Smokey the Bear, and the importance of not playing with matches. After his presentation, he would leave the room and return dressed as Smokey the Bear handing out coloring books and Smokey pins, much to the delight of the children.
Every year he would design, build, and man the Forestry’s display at the Big Fresno Fair. Much to his wife’s dismay, he would build the immense display in his garage in preparation for the fair. Robert would come home from the fair with at least a blue ribbon.
That wife was the love of his life, Judy. She was the pretty waitress who worked at the Corner Café, in Coalinga not two blocks from where Robert worked. Many strapping young men from the Division of Forestry Station came to eat at that little greasy spoon many times a day. But the skinny guy with the slicked back hair with the subdued smile, smelling of Brylcreem and Aqua Velva, stole her heart.
He loved Judy Kutz. She was his life. They were inseparable. They built a great life together.
After he retired from Forestry in 1986, he worked at the Fairgrounds, and got into woodworking. As one of the first season ticket holders, he attended practically every Fresno Grizzlies game.
Robert and Judy adopted a son, Stephen, who married Michelle Ferrer Kutz, with three sons of their own, Robert, Zachary, and Matthew.
A funeral service for Robert will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM at Holy Spirit Church, 355 E Champlain Drive, Fresno, CA 93730.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Kutz family.
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