Dr. Paul Michael “Mike” Lutz, 79, of Bakersfield, California passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Mike was born in Dayton, Ohio on July 27, 1946, to Rev. Louis Kelley Lutz and Esther (Garman) Lutz. Mike taught mathematics and coached baseball. He graduated from Rockport High School (1964) in Rockport, had a BS degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College (1968) in Owensboro Kentucky, an MAT degree from the University of Dayton (1973) in Dayton Ohio and a PhD from Indiana University (2001) in Bloomington. He taught and coached at Elkhart Central High School (1968-1995) in Elkhart. He began coaching as a varsity assistant to Hall of Fame coach Dick Seiler before becoming the varsity baseball coach at Elkhart Central. He founded and became the first coach of the American Legion Post 143 baseball team in Bristol (1983). He taught at the Indiana School of Science and Mathematics (1995-1996) in Muncie; taught at the Donna Klein Jewish Academy (1998-2000) in Boca Raton, Florida and completed his teaching career as a professor in the mathematics department at California State University in Bakersfield. While at Cal State Mike received numerous awards for his service to high school teachers in the Bakersfield area, especially Arvin. He was mentored by special friend and colleague Dr. Joe Fiedler. Their Monday lunches were always special.
Mike was class president for the RHS class of 1964. He took the responsibility very seriously as class president to always attend class reunions no matter how far away he might be. He played both basketball and baseball at Rockport High School under Hall of Fame coach Bill Evans. He was a member of Rockport Post 254 Legion baseball team in 1963 and 1964. He was a pitcher on the baseball team at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1964-1968). As a freshman he had a 5-0 record including a win against the University of Louisville and a no- hit game against Bellarmine University. He was a member of the Eta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Timothy Matthew Lutz; mother-in-law, Betty (Frazier) Findling; father-in law, Donald Dean Findling; and brother-in- law, Gene Findling.
Mike is survived by Jane (Findling) Lutz, his wife of 42 years; his sons, Brantley Michael (Rachael) Lutz and Justin Taylor Lutz; his grandchildren, Claire Lutz and Samuel Lutz; brothers, Louis Mark (Jayna) Lutz and Jonathan Isaac (Elaine) Lutz; nephew, Matthew Kelly Lutz; niece, Shelley (Todd) Spellman; nephew, Nathan Findling; niece, Joey Findling; niece, Maggie Price; and sisters-in-law, Judy Ann (Findling) Michael, Lauri Findling, and Pam (Moss) Lutz. He is also survived by Mike Robinson, a friend of almost 79 years and Randy Miller, a teammate beginning in Little League and a coworker for 26 years at Elkhart High School.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Mike’s honor to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, Ca 93311.
