Robert "Bob" Klotz

Robert "Bob" Klotz, 82, of both Fort Wayne, Indiana & Naples, Florida passed April 14, 2022 in Fort Wayne. Bob was born February 12, 1940 in Mishawaka, Indiana. He graduated from Mishawaka High School and later was the first in the family to attend college, studying accounting from Indiana University College of Business in Bloomington. He was president of the accounting club and proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at IU. Following graduation, he became a Certified Public Accountant while working for Price Waterhouse. Moving to South Bend in 1962, he was one of the original nine auditors opening the Price Waterhouse branch. Bob worked as the Comptroller of Eberhart Steel in Mishawaka where he met Ernest "Ernie" Zeller. They together, along with partner Lou Major, formed Metalstamp, Inc., in Walkerton, Indiana in 1968. Later, Metalstamp was solely owned and operated by both Bob and Ernie, and this new business grew, thus requiring a new facility that is still in operation, now located in South Bend. Bob eventually partnered with Joe Gentilla at Dallas Industries of Troy, Michigan. Bob added his son, David, to the Dallas Industries team and eventually retired. Bob was a supporter, as a manufacturer and associate member, of Precision Metalforming Association over the years. Bob's love of business and its people kept him working as a self-employed contractor in the metal stamping industry for years after his formal retirement.

When he wasn't working, Bob enjoyed many sports. He was either playing tennis or golf, often with close friends, like long-time friend Clarence "Wit" Witsken, who preceded him in death. Bob dreamed of playing golf again with Wit on God's golf courses and tennis with his high school friend and Mishawaka tennis partner, John Goeller.

His love of sports had him cheering on his Hoosiers' Basketball or Notre Dame's Football & Basketball teams. Many in South Bend may remember Bob as a past President of the Michiana Marlins Swim Team. Supporting his daughters', Susan's and Robin's, swimming, he volunteered at many swim meets and recruited others over a ten-year period. He traveled the region monthly for meets and to keep in condition, even joined their 5am swim practices. He also supported Susan's soccer team at IU along with his son David's long soccer career stretching from childhood Junior Irish Team to the Miami University team.

All of this, Bob shared with his bride of 61 years, Carolynn Travis (Springer) Klotz, whom he met at age 14, and was smitten with, at Epworth Forest Methodist Church summer camp. Similar to a movie, Bob later spotted Travis in the halls at Mishawaka High. They rekindled their camp friendship. Bob and Travis married at the Willow Creek Methodist Church in Mishawaka, IN on June 17, 1961. They raised and loved three children, Susan Renee Stouder (David) of Fort Wayne, IN, Robin Jo Mireles (Tony) of Marana, AZ and David Charles Klotz (Gretchen) of Birmingham, MI.

While Bob & Travis treasure their many friends and are devoted to their three children, many heard wonderful stories of their six beloved grandchildren, Renee (Cory) Rospert of Delaware, Ohio, Carolynn Stouder of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Christian and Gabrielle Mireles of Marana, Arizona, Justin and Kylie Klotz of Birmingham, Michigan, and of their two cherished great grandsons, Parker & Mason Rospert of Delaware, Ohio.

Being an only child, Bob cherished his grandparents, many aunts and uncles and cousins that he would spend summers with as a young teen in Nappanee. He continued to visit with many of them and often told stories of helping with the general chores of farm life in Indiana. As a teen, Bob helped his father harvest and distill mint on their farm near Bremen. At Christmas time Bob returned to the Klotz Family Tree Farm, also near Bremen, where he had worked with his father planting trees.

In addition to his SAE fraternity, Bob was a Boy Scout, ROTC at IU, a 60+ year member of the Freemasons in Mishawaka, member of the South Bend Scottish Rite, Board Member from 1980-1990 of The National Bank of South Bend, later known as First Interstate Bank of Northern Indiana, member of the South Bend Country Club, member of Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, FL and an active member of the Republican Party.

While regretfully not being able to attend many in-person church services since the pandemic, Bob streamed services. When younger, he was instrumental in establishing Clay United Methodist Church on West Cleveland Road in South Bend which started in an engineering building on Notre Dame's campus. Bob and a few others were key in securing the funds and vision for the first sanctuary, along with future additions and growth, in later years.

Robert Klotz is preceded in death by his father, Harley Klotz & mother, Mildred (Wood) Klotz; both his paternal & fraternal grandparents; and his in-laws, Charles & Hazel Springer.

Viewing services will be held Friday, April 22, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Funeral service at 6:30 pm at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home – Pine Valley location, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Reception to follow. Burial service will be Saturday, April 23, 11:30 am at Fairview Cemetery, 1415 North Main Street, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

In lieu of flowers, Bob wishes for your support of the American Diabetes Foundation and Alzheimer's Association. He would have liked to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at Parkview North Hospital, Ashton Creek, and especially at StoryPoint. Their professional care of him is greatly appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Klotz family may be shared at www.McCombandSons.com