Robert Wilfred Puetz passed away peacefully at home in Bozeman, Montana on April 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Rob was a dear husband to wife Sue Puetz, a devoted father to Michelle Puetz (Justin Lintelman), Hunter Lacey (Bobbie Sue Lacey), and Rian Alexander (Brent Alexander), as well as a beloved grandfather to Oliver Lacey, Hudson Alexander, Bergen Lacey, and Saylor Alexander. Rob is also survived by his siblings William Puetz (Vivian Puetz), Sandy Smith (Donnie Smith), Jill Brown, James Puetz (Carla Cooper), Penny Puetz, and many nieces and nephews. Rob is preceded in death by both of his parents, Marie and Wilfred Puetz, as well as his younger brother, Pete Puetz.

Rob was born on March 25, 1941 in Streater, Illinois, but grew up in Kentland, Indiana attending catholic grade school. He later went on to Indiana University for his undergrad, then Northwestern University in Chicago for his masters degree in finance, followed by his CPA certification. After school he took a job with Xerox, moving him to Rochester, New York, and later transferring him to Santa Anna, California. Rob spent 13 years in Southern California, ending up in finance with an oil and gas company. After his time in California, Rob took a job that moved him to Dallas, Texas as a CFO for an international oil and gas exploration company. In the late 1990’s, Rob, along with his wife, Sue, built and ran a golf course in New Braunfels, Texas until retirement.

During Rob’s career in oil and gas, he was able to travel to different countries all over the world, sparking a love for travel and adventure. This would include traveling the country in his motorhome in retirement with his wife, Sue. It was during these years when he was able to spend the summer months with his grandchildren in Montana, kayak the Willamette River in Oregon, and witness a few shuttle launches in Florida, as well as exploring all the places in between. Rob’s other passions would include sports like baseball and basketball earlier in life and golf in his adult years. With owning a golf course, and living on a few courses, he was a very accomplished golfer playing often. Rob was also skilled at building and flying radio controlled jets with turbine engines. In fact, he was the country’s specialist on RC turbine engines, contributing his time troubleshooting for other RC enthusiasts in online forums. Over the years Rob enjoyed woodworking and even made some amazing string instruments. Rob was also an avid reader and rarely met a James Patterson novel he didn’t like. He also got into photography later in life, along with Sue which came in handy on their many travels. Boating was also a huge part of Rob’s life and first got into it while living in California. He would frequently sail his boat from the mainland to Catalina Island, and back. He later got into ski boats while living in Texas, which was enjoyed by all.

Above all, Rob was a man of kindness. He was passionate about life and believed in stopping to smell the roses. He was a wonderful example of what it meant to be a good man, instilling these values in his children. To know him was to love him, and there was never a time when he wouldn’t share a big bowl of popcorn with you or want to fly a kite at the beach. He will be deeply missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Rob’s honor to Bridger Ski Foundation, a non-profit ski organization in which all his grandchildren are involved and ski with.

Bridger Ski Foundation

PO Box 1243

Bozeman, MT 59771

https://www.bridgerskifoundation.org/donate/main