 SIEGLITZ, ROBERT AVERY SR. A Salute to Robert Avery Sieglitz, Sr. March 9, 1915 February 12, 2015 "I have more fun and have done more things than anyone I know. I really enjoy life!" Barely three years after New Mexico became a state, Robert Avery Sieglitz was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico to Frank Peter Sieglitz, Jr . and Maude Avery Carse Sieglitz. He was raised in a family of four other siblings: stepbrother Ellis H. Sieglitz, brother Frank C. Sieglitz, sister Maude C. Sieglitz Bush, and brother Joseph E. Sieglitz. Bob spent most of his life in Albuquerque, where he attended Lincoln Junior High School, Albuquerque High School (graduating in 1934) and University of New Mexico. "I married my nurse! " Bob recalled meeting Emma Jane Guthmann in 1938 while having his appendix out. Jane and Bob married January 28, 1940. Together, they had three children: Janie Sieglitz Kobes of Conroe, Texas; Robert A. Sieglitz, Jr. of Sacramento, CA and Peggy Sieglitz Pultorak of Granbury, Texas; six grandchildren: Glenn R. Kobes, Jeffrey W. Kobes, Jennifer L. Pultorak Shafer, Edward J. Pultorak Jr., Sandra Jo Sieglitz Stone, and Sutter King Sieglitz, and 12 great grandchildren. Bob's first job was delivering ice in Las Vegas, New Mexico. In his younger years, he cut logs, delivered newspapers, and worked for Montgomery Wards, ushered for the Kimo and Sunshine Theaters, and then drove an ambulance. He worked with the National Youth Administration (which helped built the first Sandia Mountain ski run at Doc Long's Picnic Ground) and helped to survey at Chimayo, Pojoaque, San Juan and Otawi Bridge for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Later, Bob worked at Higland Aircraft Engine Company, Lockheed, the Matson Navigation Corporation and at Sandia Base." In 1945 he became chief electrician and daily operator of Conchas Dam. In 1955, Bob started his insurance career. He retired from Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company in 1980 at age 65. An innovative entrepreneur, Bob started the fiberglass plant Nu Pro Manufacturing and a water ski park. Later, he went to work in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia with Arab Establishment for Projects . That job also took him to Thailand and Hong Kong. Until he died, he collected and restored Model T Fords. He could not bear to sell his inventory and still owned five Model T's on his death. Of his long and varied work experience, Bob proudly said, "I have made and lost several fortunes, but I have always come out on top." A life-long Episcopalian, Bob Sieglitz was the first acolyte of St John's Cathedral. Later, for years, Bob and Jane and family prepared Easter morning breakfast at the church. An avid fly fisherman, Bob first fished the Jemez River in 1927. Observers envied his skill in being able to pull a fish from where others could not even get a bite. At age 72, he became a certified scuba diver and logged more than 90 dives all over the world. Ten years after Jane died in 1982, Bob met Lawauna Jayroe. She became his close companion until she died in 2009. Bob enjoyed telling the story of fishing the Jemez River at Hummingbird Music Camp a few years ago. He tripped over a log and fell. The proprietor of the property, a good friend admonished, "I don't want you coming up here, falling in the river, and dying." Bob looked at her and said, "What a way to go! Wouldn't that be great! Me with a fish on the end of my line, and then I fall and hit my head on a rock. That would be a great way to go, I think." We will miss him. There will be a Celebration of his life to be held on March 7, 2015, 2pm-5pm. Call for information to Barbara Baca (505) 410-9446. Donations can be made in his name to the Hummingbird Music Camp Scholarship Fund, (104 Hummingbird Dr. Jemez Springs, N.M. 87025) and/or the UNM Students Mentor Program, contact Lloryn Swann (505) 272-4837.
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