Peter O. Lutz

Peter Ole Lutz, 68, Plover, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in
Orange Beach, Ala., where he has wintered for the past nine years.
A casual celebration of life will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Shuda Funeral Chapel in Stevens Point. His ashes will
be interred at the Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in King at a later date.
A memorial will be established in his name for Friends of
2713, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving railroad history in
Stevens Point.
Condolences may be offered online at www.shudafuneralcom.
Mr. Lutz was born May 25, 1947, in Stevens Point, a son of the
late George A. and Margaret Mary “Pat” (Kelly) Lutz. He attended St. Joseph School
and graduated from Pacelli High School in 1966.
Following graduation, he was drafted and chose to enlist in
the U.S. Air Force.
He was married to Marjorie A. “Jan” Nix June 9, 1969, in
Honolulu, Hawaii, during his R&R from duty in Phan Rang Vietnam.
To fulfill his military service, the couple moved to
Colorado Springs, Colo., where Staff Sgt. Lutz served at the NORAD complex at
Cheyenne Mountain. He was honorably discharged in 1970.
In 1968, he was recommended for USAF Airman of the Year
Award. In 1969, he received the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for
Meritorious Service while stationed in Phan Rang, Vietnam, for “outstanding
professional skill and initiative.” He was also awarded the Vietnam Service
Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the National Defense Service
Medal, the Expert Marksman Medal and the Certificate of Recognition for service
during the Cold War.
The couple returned to Stevens Point and raised two
children.
In Stevens Point, he continued the family tradition of
working for the Soo Line Railroad. In 1988, he transferred to Spring Lake Park,
Minn., with the Canadian Pacific Railroad. After surviving a head-on train
collision in St. Paul, Minn., the couple moved to Plover
in 1996.
In his youth, he participated in ski jumping, hockey and
hunting.
He was a member of the VSPA (Vietnam Security Police
Association) due to his augmentee security police service; UTU (United
Transportation Union); Soo Line Veteran Employee Association and the American
Legion.
He was involved in the Portage County Youth on Ice (PCYOI)
program and co-managed the operation of the Goerke Park concession stand. He
managed the food concessions when Post 6 hosted the American Legion World
Series in 1987. He helped build the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP)
Men’s Ice Hockey Blue Line Club and the UWSP Women’s Ice Hockey Center Line
Club.
He participated in the 12 Apostles Muskie Club and the Department
of Natural Resources fish identification program.
He served on the Pacelli class of 1966 reunion committees
and coordinated the Soo Line RR Retirees picnic. He completed 14 marathons
prior to the train accident.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie A “Jan” Lutz; one son,
Peter “Matt” (Amanda) Lutz, Stevens Point; one daughter, Michelle (Dan Czech)
Parlier, Wausau; four brothers, John (Luci) Lutz, Stevens Point, Don (Alvie)
Lutz, Marathon, Jim (Barb) Lutz, Eau Claire, and George (Mary Anne) Lutz,
Milwaukee; one sister, Mary (Ronald) Domka, Stevens Point; and three
grandchildren.