Stewart C. Lotz

stewart c. lotz
Stewart Crowell Lotz, 90, went to God on Sunday, June 11, at home. He was born in San Jose, California on July 26, 1926, the second child of Walter and Edith Lotz. Stewart was raised in Oakland and graduated valedictorian of the class of 1944, Oakland High School, before enlisting in the Navy. After a year of preflight Stewart attended and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where he continued to play his beloved game of baseball. He went on to a career at Peterbilt Motors, working there as a production engineer until retirement in 1991. Stewart married Jane Cecilia Hanley on June 19, 1954, after a courtship that began during summers working at Yosemite National Park. Stewart and Jane raised seven children in Fremont, with Stewart leading them into active involvement at Saint Joseph's Church and School, Mission San Jose. He served as an altar acolyte at 11:00 a.m. Mass at the old Saint Joseph's Church with Monsignor James E. O'Neill, was president of the Men's Club of Saint Joseph's Parish, president of the board of Saint Joseph's School, an instructor in Adult Education classes for those seeking to join the Catholic faith, an instructor in the High School Education program, and a member of the first School Board, Moreau High School, Hayward, California. Music was part of Stewart's life from childhood, a legacy from his mother and father. He played piano and cello throughout his life and began his involvement with Queen of the Holy Rosary School of Music, Dominican Sisters, in 1961. Stewart and Jane sent their seven children to the Dominican Sisters for lessons, with Stewart becoming involved himself as a musician in school productions and playing his cello for many musical shows at Ohlone College and elsewhere. Stewart sang in church choirs as a boy and continued to sing for many years in the church choir at Saint Joseph's Church, Mission San Jose. In later years Stewart shared his musical gift by giving lessons to children. Stewart is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Jane; his children Carol Ann, Jane, Stephen, Donald, Mary, Matt and Kelly; grandchildren Nancy, Chrissy, Jenna, David, Amanda and Emily, and great-grandchildren Dylan and Violeta. Stewart is also survived by his sister Carol Wenzel (Bill), son-in-law David Parker, daughters-in-law Cyndee and Kris Lotz, and grandson-in-law Jose Soria Monasterio, as well as many nieces and nephews. A Mass of the Resurrection will take place at St. Joseph's Church, 43148 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, on Thursday, June 15 at 10:30 a.m. The Mass will be preceded by a decade of the Rosary and followed by interment at the old St. Joseph's Cemetery.

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  1. Dear Jane and Family,
    Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
    Stu was such a special man………………he will be missed by many.

  2. Love and Sympathy to Janie and Children. I have many fond memories of Stewart, Hank’s best friend and one of the kindest people who have brightened my life. Joann Freeman Sutro.

  3. Love to Janie and the Lotz family—Stewart was a gentle and devoted family man and excellent musician who gave generously of himself to the community. My father Dr. Henry Sutro was fortunate to have such a kind, smart and loyal lifelong friend beginning with their time together at Oakland High School and UC Berkeley. And I did not realize that Stew was also a varsity baseballer at Cal. A true Renaissance man!

  4. Dear Mary,
    Thanks for sharing this beautiful tribute with us. What an amazing life he lived. And now I know how you got your talent in music 🙂 My prayers are with your whole family, may you all find strength to deal with this physical loss. Like you said the other day, he will forever live in the hearts of those who love.
    Love,
    Kusum

  5. Dear Mary,
    So sorrry to hear of your dad’s loss. Dads are precious and I am sure you will have many memories of him. My prayers are with you.

  6. Dear Mary,
    Your dear Dad seems like he truly was an amazing man. I would like to have known him. My thoughts are with you still.

  7. Dear Mary and Lotz family, My deepest condolences to you all. What a wonderful gift you all had in your father/husband. He was the kind of man anyone would be proud to have for a dad. My prayers are with you all in your grief.

  8. Dear Mary,
    I send my sincerest sympathy to you dear friend as well as to your siblings and especially to your mother in this difficult loss of your dad. I fondly remember chatting with your folks at your student’s concerts and at your own Sweet Adeline’s performances each year. It was easy to see how you came by your love and talent for music and I always felt the close loving ties that bound your family together. Keep the faith which assures you, one day, the family will all be together again . . . and meanwhile, your loving memories will keep your dad very close at hand.
    Sending you my love and keeping you in my prayers,


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