Friday, December 7, 2018
Dear Lotz family and close friends,
I can't touch the computer keys without choking back tears. Yet they come anyway though the "great cloud of witnesses" is now more in tune than ever (Hebrews 12:1)!
Your husband, father, friend, brother, "Mr. Lotz" or "Uncle Merle" was one-of-a-kind, top-of-the-line human being and talent. There wasn't a moment that he wasn't consummately himself without exception whether in the choir room, in the halls, or in the auditorium where we rehearsed musicals, ensemble shows, and concerts. No wonder so many of the family went to Seattle Pacific and continued the musical traditions (as I recall)!
The three musketeers, Ernst Kasa, Julie Accuardi, and Merle Lotz were a force FOR GOOD. No, that's not true. A force FOR GREAT! And Wilson had a reputation for the fine arts, showmanship, and pizzazz because of them. Alum would return year after year for the shows and musicals. I know! We did!
I can still see Mr. Lotz doubling over or throwing his head back at a joke - his own or another's. I can still hear him slam the cover on the piano to get our attention. I can hear the glissando of Rhapsody in Blue and see a man oozing with talent and practiced expertise who dared to teach none-other-than public high school students.
When I first came to Wilson, in the middle of my sophomore year (1973), I knew no one. I had sung in choirs and ensembles and was assigned to Senior Choir as a sophomore. What a privilege. It was there I met the "unfettered Lotz!" - a man who was who he was in any moment. He was funny! He was full of life and energy! He was creative - there was no ceiling. He loved to tell us stories. And, he was a relentless perfectionist! Yet behind the all-too-frequent grimaces or his not-so subtle urging to "get it right," was a big heart that was ever so proud of us. And, we wanted to make him proud. He gave his all and we wanted to return the favor.
When our class graduated in 1976-- Ben Whiteley and Dava Waite, Nancy Gullikson, Kent Nowels, Matt Frazier, Jewely Friedman, Jerome Stein, Gerry Burnbach, Karen Volgelsang, Laura Fowler, Kris Nelson, Gordon Dudley and Tim Burkes and so MANY more of us-- we knew one thing: we had gold in our hands.
We had been loved. Really loved by a real man who was never afraid of anything! A man who was never afraid of the most important thing - really living.
Last year, this month, we said goodbye to my mother, Martha Baker, who would be adding her remarks and thanks as well, but will now get to do it in person.
Grateful for an Everlasting Father who names Himself by us for all time and sending heartfelt condolences to each of you, especially Pat Lotz,
Kathryn Baker (Kate Thomas)
Oregon
(503) 894-7611
