By Jerry Vondas

Published: Saturday, January 12, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, January 12, 2013

When a problem arose, Carl Strutz stepped in and accepted the challenge, those who knew him said.

His daughter, Lori Lynn Stresen-Reuter of Naples, Fla., described a man who dropped out of college to help his father, also named Carl, run a small manufacturing plant in Mars.

Today, the plant is the largest manufacturer of glass decorating machinery in the world. Mr. Strutz's contributions to the glass decorating business won him the title of Glass Man of the Year from the Glass and Ceramic Decorator's Association, his daughter said.

Carl J. Strutz of Mars, owner of Carl Strutz and Company Inc., died on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, in his home in Naples, Fla. He was 80.

Her father proved a blessing to many youngsters whose families attended Dutilh United Methodist Church in Mars. Mr. Strutz and his wife, members of the congregation, provided them with college scholarships.

He won the Paul Harris Award, given by Rotary International to a man who dedicated his life to service to others.

Born in Shaler, Mr. Strutz was one of two sons of Carl Strutz and his wife, Theresa Triebl Strutz.

Working with his father prepared Mr. Strutz for the Army, where he served during the Korean War in a machine shop in Germany, said his daughter.

Mr. Strutz was a Mason, participating in the Syria Shrine, which supports the Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was a member and past president of the Early Ford V-8 Club of Pittsburgh.

“My father ... enjoyed driving one of his antique Fords in the Shrine parades,” Stresen-Reuter said.

In addition to his daughter, Lori Lynn, Mr. Strutz is survived by another daughter, Rebecca J. Strutz-McKinney of Mars, a son, C. James Strutz of Carnegie; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death in 1995 by his wife, Ellen Linnea Anderson Strutz, and his brother, Frank C. Strutz Sr.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Dutilh United Methodist Church, Mars Campus, 525 Pittsburgh St., with the Rev. James Gascoine officiating.

Arrangements are being handled by McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars.

Jerry Vondas is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7823 or jvondas@tribweb.com.

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