Robert Lee Wantz, Sr., age 62, of Emmitsburg, Maryland, died peacefully on Friday, September 12, 2014 at the York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania.
Born March 10, 1952 in Union County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Robert Henry and Irene Agnes (Miller) Wantz. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Theresa Mae (McNair) Wantz.
Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, and friend to all. He always put his family first and himself last, and went out of his way to help others. He attended Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg and was in the first full year graduation class of 1970 from Catoctin High School. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving as a military policeman. He retired from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD as a precision instrument maker. He was a hunter safety education instructor for the State of Maryland, held a concealed weapon permit, and had completed police training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. He was a hard worker who enjoyed the heat and liked to sweat. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, camping, mushroom hunting, coin collecting, time outdoors, cooking, reading books, eating adventurous foods, listening to outlaw country and bluegrass music. He also enjoyed his dogs, rides in the country, packing heat, western movies by Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, cold beer, gardening, mowing grass, and playing his mandolin. Robert was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, American Legion Post 121 in Emmitsburg, Thurmont AMVETS Post #7, Knights of Columbus, life-member of the NRA and the Indian Lookout Conservation Club of Emmitsburg.
Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, Robert L. Wantz, Jr. and wife Jessica of Fairfield, PA, and Kayne A. Wantz of Emmitsburg; grandson, Robert L. Wantz, III; siblings, Elenor “Lee” Young of Emmitsburg, Michael Wantz of Thurmont, Patricia Wivell of Emmitsburg, Mary Mowery of Orrtanna, Joan Wantz of Fairfield, Thomas Wantz of Fairfield, Joy Krietz of Odenton, MD, and Lisa Dayberry of York Springs, PA; uncles, Jerry Wantz of Emmitsburg, Donnie Wantz of Waynesboro, PA, Leonard Wantz and Frank Wantz of Wisconsin; aunt, Virginia Welty of Emmitsburg; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Danielle Nicole Wantz in 1984.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg with Rev. John J. Holliday, C.M. as celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow in the Emmitsburg Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 W. Main St., Emmitsburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Indian Lookout Conservation Club, P.O. Box 179, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
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Born March 10, 1952 in Union County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Robert Henry and Irene Agnes (Miller) Wantz. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Theresa Mae (McNair) Wantz.
Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, and friend to all. He always put his family first and himself last, and went out of his way to help others. He attended Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg and was in the first full year graduation class of 1970 from Catoctin High School. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving as a military policeman. He retired from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD as a precision instrument maker. He was a hunter safety education instructor for the State of Maryland, held a concealed weapon permit, and had completed police training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. He was a hard worker who enjoyed the heat and liked to sweat. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, camping, mushroom hunting, coin collecting, time outdoors, cooking, reading books, eating adventurous foods, listening to outlaw country and bluegrass music. He also enjoyed his dogs, rides in the country, packing heat, western movies by Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, cold beer, gardening, mowing grass, and playing his mandolin. Robert was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, American Legion Post 121 in Emmitsburg, Thurmont AMVETS Post #7, Knights of Columbus, life-member of the NRA and the Indian Lookout Conservation Club of Emmitsburg.
Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, Robert L. Wantz, Jr. and wife Jessica of Fairfield, PA, and Kayne A. Wantz of Emmitsburg; grandson, Robert L. Wantz, III; siblings, Elenor “Lee” Young of Emmitsburg, Michael Wantz of Thurmont, Patricia Wivell of Emmitsburg, Mary Mowery of Orrtanna, Joan Wantz of Fairfield, Thomas Wantz of Fairfield, Joy Krietz of Odenton, MD, and Lisa Dayberry of York Springs, PA; uncles, Jerry Wantz of Emmitsburg, Donnie Wantz of Waynesboro, PA, Leonard Wantz and Frank Wantz of Wisconsin; aunt, Virginia Welty of Emmitsburg; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Danielle Nicole Wantz in 1984.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg with Rev. John J. Holliday, C.M. as celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow in the Emmitsburg Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 W. Main St., Emmitsburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Indian Lookout Conservation Club, P.O. Box 179, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.