Robert M. Kuntz, Jr.

Robert M. Kuntz, Jr., 93 years old, passed away at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at Southfield Village, South Bend.  Bob was born on July 12, 1925 in South Bend to the late Robert “Myler” and Mary Ann “Mayme” (Biltz) Kuntz.  On August 5, 1967 in South Bend, Bob and Ann E. Detwiler were united in marriage. 

Along with his loving wife, Ann, survivors include their two daughters, Ellen M. (Michael Hubbard) Weinkauf of South Bend and Elizabeth A. Kuntz of Nicosia, Cyprus; brothers-in-law, Thomas (Rosemary) Detwiler of Spencer, WI and Joseph (Lorene Nickel) Detwiler of Williamstown, MA; niece, Kay (David) Londergan; and nephews, Thomas (Joy) Spahn, James (Evelyn) Spahn, Craig Detwiler, Patrick (Abigael) Detwiler, and Rob (Dana) Detwiler.  Bob is also survived by numerous cousins and extended family.  Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Al Spahn, and nephew, Paul Spahn. 

Bob has been a lifelong resident of South Bend.  He graduated from Riley High School, and studied at the Chicago Art Institute, the Contemporary Art Workshop in Chicago, and at IUSB.  His employment background includes working for Raymond Lowey and for Studebaker Packard as a clay modeler.  He also spent time designing church furnishings at St. Christopher’s Workshop in Bremen.  He has taught sculpture at St. Mary’s College and Goshen College.  From 1961-2014, Bob was the owner/manager of Model Tech Display Studio, a woodworking shop specializing in industrial packaging, moldings, and turnings.  Bob retired at the age of 89. 

Throughout his life, Bob’s real interest has been in sculpture.  He has worked mainly in wood and welded steel, creating stylized birds and human figures, as well as religious forms and abstract pieces.  He has exhibited his smaller sculptures in many local galleries and in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois.  In addition, he has had commissions for several public works including:  Trilithon, near Morris Auditorium; Eagle, in Leeper Park; Membership, in Teacher’s Credit Union headquarter’s lobby; Standing Tall, a 9/11 Memorial, in St. Patrick’s County Park; Volatus Aquilae, on Mishawaka Riverwalk; and Circle of Life, on Mishawaka Riverwalk.  Bob was an Honorary member of Fire Arts, Inc., South Bend.  A history buff, he and Ann enjoyed traveling and visiting historic sites in the United States and Europe.  Bob was a lover of animals and an avid Notre Dame Football fan. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 309 S. Taylor Street, South Bend.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend and one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Robert M Kuntz, Jr. may be donated to Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnette Drive, South Bend, IN  46614 or to Hope Rescue Mission, 432 S. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN  46601.  Online condolences may be offered to the Kuntz family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

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