Robert Frederick Lautze ’39 died on May 8, 2012. Born in San Francisco on August 20, 1917, to Frederick and Theresa Lautze, he arrived 18 minutes ahead of his identical twin, Richard ’39. Their lives were closely entwined for the next 88 years. Early years included public schooling in So. San Francisco, music lessons and lots of sports, with weekend work at the garage at Lautze Ford, where they learned the value of a nickel. The twins were lured to Santa Clara University by offers of an academic scholarship and a work/study opportunity. They were thrilled to travel with the basketball team, whose victories earned them the title "Magicians of the Maplewood", and Robert a bum knee. The sports he so loved to play in his youth entertained him just as thoroughly in his Lazyboy in later years. Always good at "figures", Rob studied business at SCU, followed by a brief stint at Stanford, before he joined the workforce at Haskins and Sells in San Francisco. World War II began. A low draft number prompted the boys to join the Navy. Robert was called to active duty in July of 1941, completed officers training at Harvard, then served as Lt. Commander in the Pacific theatre on the USS Argonne. Long hours on the ship made him wickedly competitive at cards. At war’s end, the twins joined George J. Kasch’s accounting firm, which became Lautze & Lautze in 1956, and still maintains offices in San Francisco and San Jose. Civic involvement included the SF Kiwanis Club, volunteering for the Burn Wound Center at St. Francis Hospital, Hanna Boys Center, Little Sisters of the Poor and the Board of the Marianists Province. Robert married Alice McCarthy in 1944, moving to San Carlos in 1948, where they raised five children. A devout Catholic, St. Charles Church was pivotal in his life; he served as parish treasurer for many years, volunteered at the annual carnival, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. After Alice passed away in 1983, Rob married another parishioner, Patricia McCarthy Murphy, now Lautze, in 1984. Her care and companionship sustained him for the next 28 years. Rob was a devoted SCU alum, serving on the Board of Regents, Trustees, Athletic Affairs, and as President of the Alumni Association from 1971-72 (For more about his involvement with SCU, and winning the 1997 Louis I. Bannan, S.J. award, read http://www.scu.edu/scm/winter2004/broncoprofiles.cfm.); Robert also was a recipient of the Ignatian Award and the 2004 SCU Regent Emeritus. Beyond his many accomplishments, Robert will be most fondly remembered for his affable charm. He befriended many a waitress and flirted with his nurses and physical therapists well into his last days. To Robert, life was a "simple equation". He was also known to say, "If you have to pay taxes, be happy; it means you are making money". He counted his blessings often and out loud. His longevity made him a patriarch, special to Patty’s sons, and a treasured uncle to nieces and nephews who lost their fathers too soon. Robert is survived by his wife, Patricia Murphy Lautze, his sister, Elizabeth (Lautze) Ervin, his children Karen Cleary ’68 (Mark), Mary Garland ’70 (Gary), Susie Savino ’72 (Ken), Rob Lautze, Jr. (Shelly), Steve Lautze (Teresa), step-hildren, Michael Murphy (Natalie), Martin Murphy (Cheryl), Daniel Murphy; grandchildren Sean Cleary, Ted and Will Garland, Anna and Michael Savino, Sasha Trimble, Liam Lautze, Patrick Murphy. He was predeceased by his wife, Alice McCarthy Lautze, his twin brother, Richard, and his brother, Fred, Jr. The family is deeply grateful for the loving care and cheerful companionship provided by Tilila ("Tillie") Pita in Robert’s final years.

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