[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12070-12071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF ROBERT F. LAUTZE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, one of the privileges we have in the House is 
to commemorate the lives of great Americans and the contributions they 
have made to our communities and our country.
  Today, it is an honor to pay tribute to Robert F. Lautze who passed 
away on May 8, 2012, after a long life of service and celebration. He 
was a resident of the Bay Area and lived most of his life in San 
Carlos, California, a community I've represented as a San Mateo County 
Supervisor and as a Member of Congress.
  Rob was eighteen minutes older than his identical twin, Richard, and 
for years they were known as ``Rob and Rich'' or the ``Lautze 
brothers.'' Prior to World War II, they left their hometown of San 
Francisco and together became star athletes on the basketball court at 
Santa Clara University. Thus began a life-long relationship with the 
University where both Rob and Rich would each serve on the Board of 
Regents, the Board of Trustees, and as President of the Alumni 
Association.
  During World War II, they joined the Navy, became officers, and 
served aboard ships in the Pacific. When they returned, they celebrated 
a double wedding and joined an accounting firm in San Francisco that 
became Lautze & Lautze. To this day the firm has kept this name even 
though the brothers retired over twenty years ago.
  Many years ago, the Lautzes gave a young college graduate his first 
job at their firm, and when the new employee thought he might have a 
vocation in the priesthood, they encouraged him and gave him support. 
Paul Locatelli became a Jesuit priest, the President of Santa Clara 
University, and a celebrated American educator. He often said one of 
the reasons he became a priest was the example and support of Rob and 
Rich Lautze.
  Rob's contributions to the community were numerous--the Kiwanis Club, 
the Burn Wound Center at St. Francis Hospital, the Hanna Boys Center, 
the Little Sisters of the Poor, and as a member of the board of the 
Marianists Province. He was one of the first treasurers of his beloved 
parish of St. Charles Catholic Church, served in the Knights of 
Columbus, and coached the boys' basketball team with his brother.
  Rob was the proud father of five children: Karen, Mary, Susie, Rob, 
and Steve. His first wife, Alice, known as ``A,'' passed away in 1983, 
after over 35 years of marriage. In 1984, he married fellow 
parishioner, Patricia Murphy Laute to whom he was married for 28 years, 
and was the beloved patriarch to Patty's sons and family.
  Mr. Speaker, Rob Lautze called life a ``simple equation.'' He counted 
his blessings often and out loud. He served so many in so many ways, 
and at the same time he quietly helped friends and neighbors with 
personal challenges. He was gentle in spirit, generous, and kind. He 
loved to laugh and in every picture of him there is a genuine smile--as 
well as a discreetly held cigar.

[[Page 12071]]

  Rob Lautze was a beloved member of our community who lived his faith, 
loved his family, and served his community and his country. We 
celebrate his life, and I'm proud to honor his memory in the U.S. House 
of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House to join me in expressing our 
sympathy to the Lautze family. Our nation has lost a beloved citizen 
who made our community stronger and our country better.

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