Charles Michael Lutz, 1936 – 2004
Professor Emeritus
Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden (2004)

On January 25, 1936 Charles “Chuck” Lutz began his life in Wilmington, Delaware. After graduating from St.Elizabeth’s High School in 1953, Brother Lutz waited until he turned 18 to enlist in the US Army. He advanced to the rank of corporal in the188th Airborne Infantry of the 11th Airborne Division. In 1954 Brother Lutz received both a Congressional and a U.S. Army appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Brother Lutz chose the Senatorial appointment over the Army’s thus opening a slot for another soldier to be selected.

Upon graduation from West Point he married the former Barbara Licki in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Marian, and his room mate Jim Taylor. Brother Lutz chose to be commissioned a second lieutenant in Armor stationed in Mannheim, West Germany for a 3 year tour of duty. His two daughters were born in Heidelberg during that tour.

The Army gave Brother Lutz orders to attend the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey, California where he earned a 2nd BS in Nuclear Physics. Among other military schools Brother Lutz attended were the Armed Forces Staff College, Industrial War College, Chemical Training School, Command and General Staff College,

He was also director of the Radiation Field Studies, Army Chemical College, and an instructor in nuclear studies.

Charles had a distinguished twenty-one year military career, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Colonel. Two tours of duty were completed in Germany and Vietnam. He helped develop and implement operations and logistics data processing systems. This back-ground served him well when he arrived at Utah State University to help design the Business Information Systems curriculum.

Charles received his M.B.A. degree from the University of Utah and the Doctor of Education degree from Utah State University. Throughout his teaching career, Brother Lutz’s goals were to become a “master teacher” and to help and advise students to the best of his abilities. He had the distinction of earning two prestigious USU Robins Awards – in 1986 as USU Advisor of the Year and in 1995 as Teacher of the Year, and Professor of the Year for the University in 1991.

Brother Lutz received exceptionally high student evaluations for his teaching. His learning objectives, teaching methods, and a feedback system ensured that all students were competent at the conclusion of a course.

It was Brother Lutz’s belief that learning must be interactive, that students are not only required to answer questions but to ask them and to otherwise contribute to class discussions. Students described him as a great motivator and master teacher. Brother Lutz described his students as “dear hearts,” and they were truly dear to his heart. Colleagues, students, and friends benefited from his encouragement, kindness, thoughtfulness, and ever-present sense of humor. After 18 years of dedicated service to Utah State University, Brother Lutz retired in 1998 and was honored by the State Board of Regents with the title of Professor Emeritus.

Freemasonry was a large part of Brother Lutz’s life and more so after his retirement from USU. He modeled his theory for humanity and a good life from the folloing poem:

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Brother Lutz was a Master Mason and very active in the following Utah Masonic Bodies: Harmony Lodge #21, Past Master; Amity Lodge #12, Worshipful Master; Logan Chapter #8 Royal Arch Masons, Ogden Commandery and Ogden Council; Red Cross of Constantine; El Kalah Shrine; Past Associate Grand Guardian of Utah; ;Past Associate Guardian of Bethel #12, Logan, Past Worthy Patron of Clara Barton, Chapter #16, Order of the Eastern Star. At the time of his passing he was serving the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons Utah as the Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden.

Brother Lutz loved his family dearly. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed throwing out “trick questions” around the dinner table or teaching the grandchildren card games. He also enjoyed the company of son-in-laws Michael R. Lamb and James G. Johnson.

Brother Lutz cared about children with language and learning disabilities and those needing treatment for burns and orthopedic care. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Brother Lutz’s memory, are encouraged to make contributions to Children’s Learning Center, Scottish Rite Masonry, 1140 36th Street, Suite 160, Ogden, UT 84403 or Shriners Hospital for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.

Brother Lutz is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara; two daughters, Barbara Michele Lamb (Michael) of Seattle, WA, and Christine Johnson (James) of Sandy, UT; his granddaughter, Courtney Lamb, grandson, Zachary Lamb; and sister Liz Abhau (James); James and Marian Taylor, brother and sister-in-law; and nephews Jim Taylor, Robert Taylor, Michael Taylor, and niece Robin Taylor.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 30, 2004, 11:00 a.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 Center Street, Logan, UT.