Frank Brobson Lutz

Frank Brobson Lutz, son of Dr. Frank Eugene Lutz and Martha Ellen Brobson Lutz, was born in Spangler, PA on October 4, 1911. He died on December 21st two months after his 100th birthday celebration. As a young boy in Ramsey, N.J. he enjoyed going on walks and exploring the woods around his home. He accompanied his father to Estes Park, Colorado, on a field trip expedition sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. He and his family spent several summers establishing the nation's first self-guided nature trail at Harriman State Park in Tuxedo, NY. Frank attended the Ramsey public schools and continued his education at Phillips Exeter Academy. He graduated from Brown University with a major in chemistry in 1933. He moved to Millville, NJ where he worked in the textile industry until he enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a Lieutenant when he met his future wife Nell, a WAVE stationed in Portsmouth, Va. They were married on August 22, 1945, and lived in New Jersey until they relocated to Athens, AL in 1952. Frank was employed by the Chemstrand Corporation (later Monsanto and Solutia) for 25 years as a textile chemist in charge of applications research including the development of Astroturf. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens where he served as an elder, deacon, and trustee and was active in the local church camp program for many years. Having inherited a love of nature from his father who was a pioneer in the field of entomology, Frank enjoyed educating others about the wonders of nature. He shared his vast knowledge through exhibits he designed, hands-on-instruction, and leading hikers through the Bankhead National Forest. He was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, served as scoutmaster and merit badge advisor, and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Frank was a Mason and served as a past Master of the Shekinah Lodge in Millville, NJ. He was also a member of the North Alabama chapter of the National Audubon Society. He served as the honorary Grand Marshall of the 2010 Veterans Day parade and was the oldest living WWII veteran in Limestone County. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Anne Lutz of Ramsey, NJ, Laura Robb of Phoenixville, PA and his grandson Drew Whitten of Athens, Al. Surviving him are his wife Nell, his sons Dr. Brobson Lutz of New Orleans, Tom Lutz (Beverly) of Mt. Juliet, TN and his daughter Ruth Whitten (David) of Athens. He is also survived by his older sister Eleanor Schurman of Baldwinville, NY, grandsons Philip Lutz(Natalie), Dave Whitten (Kanthi), and Daniel Whitten and granddaughter Carley Lutz. Great-grandsons are Keegan and Gibson Lutz. Memorial services will be Friday, December 23rd at 2pm at the First Presbyterian Church, Athens, Alabama. Visitation will follow the service. The family asks that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, the Alabama Veterans Museum, or Boy Scout Troop 240.

Frank Brobson Lutz

October 4, 1911 - December 21, 2011