Robert C. Umholtz passed away peacefully in Lawrence Kansas on January 4th at the age of 96.
Bob was born in Miami, Oklahoma on August 10, 1928, as the only child of Karl and Edna (Gardner) Umholtz. The family moved to Topeka, Kansas where he graduated from Highland Park High School as an honor student and class president. He attended Washburn University and The University of Kansas where he achieved a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the Tau Beta Pi, Kappa Mu Epsilon and Pi Tau Sigma engineering honor societies.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during the early 1950’s as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He was assigned a post in Korea where he supervised construction of petroleum product docking, pumping and load facilities.
Bob’s family was proud of his 60-year teaching career at Kansas University School of Engineering. Students referred to him as “Bullet Bob” because they had to move fast to keep up with his instruction. During school breaks he worked as a design engineer and consultant for various companies such as Phillips Petroleum, Westinghouse, Bendix, Boeing, and NASA.
Academic career awards included ASME Distinguished Professor, KUME Distinguished Alumni and The Wesley Cramer Professorship in Mechanical Engineering for Excellence in Teaching. He retired from KU in 2012 as Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Mechanical Engineering.
Bob enjoyed listening to his extensive collection of big band and jazz records. He loved tending to his vegetable garden and flowers at his home in the Hilltop neighborhood and was a devoted tv sports fan. If he did not answer the phone, it was likely because he was watching a KU basketball, football, or Kansas City Chiefs game.
Bob’s proudest legacy was his family. He is survived by sons Mark Umholtz and wife Danette, Lawrence KS, Marvin Umholtz and wife Marty, Lawrence KS, and Martin Umholtz and wife Molly, Santa Rosa CA. Also, five grandchildren Justin Umholtz, Jonathan Umholtz, Mason Umholtz, Amanda Umholtz, Alexander Umholtz and five great-grandchildren Carter, Annika, Viola, Edie, and Makenna.
The Umholtz family would like to thank Presbyterian Manor staff members for their thoughtful care and support of Bob.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for KU Mechanical Engineering scholarships may be made online at www.kuendowment.org/umholtz or by check payable to KU Endowment (in memo please note: Mechanical Engineering Scholarship in memory of Robert Umholtz) may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
A private family celebration of life and interment at the KU Pioneer Cemetery will take place at a future date.
I took a few class with Mr. Umholtz in 2007. It was difficult classes that he taught but he was always helpful if you go to his office. Very smart guy and loved to swim and he swears it kept him young! Always thinking of this guy! Condolence to the family.
I had the privilege of taking several classes from “Bullet Bob” but he was more than a Professor to me. In 1968 when I was in graduate school, Bob, George Forman, Ed McBride, Terry Faddis, who was also in graduate school, and I carpooled to work at Bendix in Kansas City Mo. several summers. The opportunity to spend an hour in the car each way for 5 days a week was a special time to not only get to know Bob but also George and Ed on a personal level. They were all special. I met Lynda (Lyn), my future wife, one summer while working at Bendix and we got married just before my last year of Graduate School. At that time, Bob had two motorcycles, and Lyn would climb on and ride on the one Bob drove while I rode the other one. He was extra special to both of us. After graduation, we moved to California, but I would see Bob a couple times a year when I was on the Mechanical Engineering Advisor board and during recruiting trips to hire more of his KUME students. After graduating, we exchanged Christmas cards with Bob every year and would normally include a Christmas letter. Bob sent a card signed “Bob Umholtz.” We will remove him from my Christmas Card list, but we will remember and think of him often.
Bob and my late husband spent many hours in our driveway talking politics and sports, and after my husband passed, Bob and I spent many more hours before the TV watching Jayhawk basketball and Chiefs football. He was a friend and neighbor for over 40 years and I’ll miss him, especially at the upcoming Big XII and NCAA tournaments. RIP, Bob. You’ll always be remembered as my good buddy.
Umholtz family, I didn’t know Robert personally. The tribute is so sweet. He accomplished many things. Your family has sad emotions now but I am praying to the Lord to keep moving your hearts and minds to the fun times. Jama King
I have always been thankful that I knew Bob. He took the time to tutor me in math and guided me into engineering. I was in Civil Engineering so I never had classes from Bob. I heard the “Bullet Bob” stories but always assumed that to be folklore from students. Tutor Bob was always patient and would explain the basics so that it started to click for me. I was surprised when I read his retirement announcement and found out that Bullet Bob was real!
The time that Bob spent tutoring me made a difference in my life!
Though I’m saddened to read of the passing of yet another KU faculty/staff noon-swim lane buddy, I’m glad to read that Bob reached age 96! A wonderfully long time for experiencing rewarding family interaction.
Well, R.I.P. amigo. And to the family, my best wishes for peace and good memories.
Since Bob moved to Presbyterian Manor, I still miss chatting with him on my daily walks — his hoe in hand, ready laughter, and sweet smile. He was a Lawrence treasure.
Mark and family – We are thinking of you all