Kern Stutler

Robert Kern Stutler was born on a cold winter day, December 24, 1934 in the western Colorado town of Grand Junction to Roy Sanford Stutler and Velma Susie Stutler (Starr). He joined his older brother, Roy Eugene, and exactly two years later welcomed his baby sister, Marjorie Ann.  He grew up on an irrigated farm on the Colorado River not far from the Utah line.  He attended school at Fruita Elementary and graduated from Fruita Union High School in 1953 and was active in both FFA and 4-H.

His interest in both agriculture and engineering led him to major in Agricultural Engineering at Colorado A&M College in Fort Collins, Colorado.  He graduated with a BS degree in 1957 from Colorado State University as the name had been changed shortly before graduation. Having spent two summers as a trainee, Kern went to work permanently for the Soil Conservation Service – USDA, currently known as the Natural Resource Conservation Service.  His first assignment was in Grand Junction, Colorado, close to his hometown of Fruita.

During his senior year in high school, he met sophomore Maxine Cutler and began dating, which continued several years.  They were married September 16, 1956 in Fruita and lived in Fort Collins their first year as Kern finished his degree, then moved to Fruita, where their first daughter, Judy, was born.  In January, 1960 Kern was transferred to Monte Vista, Colorado, son Douglas was born.  Kern was transferred to Durango, Colorado, as Area Engineer for the Soil Conservation Service in 1963.

In 1964, a unique opportunity occurred, Kern was offered a position with a consulting engineering firm to serve as the Technical Advisor for a Land Improvement Program of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in El Salvador, Central America.  After much hesitation, deliberation and negotiation, the offer was accepted and the family, along with the pet dog, left Colorado by car November 13, 1964.  After 13 days and 3,200 miles through Mexico and Guatemala the family arrived in San Salvador, El Salvador, their home for the next four years.  The church was just getting established in El Salvador so Kern and Maxine actively helped grow and encourage the church once they grasped the language.  They were privileged to be invited back in 2014 to participate in the 50-year celebration of the church in El Salvador.

Living in El Salvador provided many opportunities for travel, including all five Central American countries and Colombia.  After four years all the family was fluent in Spanish, especially Judy and Doug.  On completion of his contract, Kern and family returned to the US November, 1968, again by car through Guatemala and Mexico. They arrived in Logan, Utah in November 1968 where Kern did his MS degree in Irrigation Engineering at Utah State University.  After finishing Kern was looking for a job and the University was looking for an engineer who spoke Spanish to go to Chile on an Irrigation Water Management Research project; so in July, 1970 the family was off to Santiago, expecting their third child, Mark in December 1970.

Their time in Chile was difficult under the political climate with increasing scarcity of most basic items.  Despite this there were some good times: trips to Easter Island, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, fishing in southern Chile.  Although difficult, there was some success with research and demonstration work in cooperation with the country’s research and extension service.  Work was terminated in June 1972 and the family headed north through Bolivia, Ecuador and on to Logan, Utah for the next assignment in the water management program; this time back to El Salvador with Utah State University in July, 1972.

After four years of research and demonstration work with agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Kern returned to campus with the Department of Irrigation Engineering, teaching and extension.  During that time the International Irrigation Center was established by the Department for international technical assistance and training.  Training was provided in English and Spanish, both on campus and in several countries. During this time Kern traveled to and worked in seventeen different countries on short-term assignments.  He was named the Associate Director for Training of the International Irrigation Center and later became its Director.  In 1995 he was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award of the Biological and Irrigation Engineering Department of Utah State University.

In June 1994, Kern retired from Utah State University and moved to Lubbock, Texas to join wife Maxine who had accepted a position in the Education Department of Lubbock Christian University the previous year.  He started part-time work in the Natural Science Department at LCU, which quickly turned into a full-time position teaching Environmental Science, Soils, Irrigation and Spanish. He accompanied students in the study abroad program to Mexico.  Kern retired from LCU in 2007 and continued his life-long work in irrigation as the Executive Secretary of the Texas Agricultural Irrigation Association.

As a member of the South Plains Church of Christ, Kern was involved in the Missions Committee, helping coordinate local and international outreach efforts, particularly in Peru.  After receiving training in fitting patients with used eye glasses he led groups from South Plains to conduct clinics in cooperation with local congregations in Nicaragua, Ecuador and for 10 years to Peru.  In 2007 Kern began serving as an elder at South Plains.

Robert Kern Stutler is preceded in death by his parents, Roy Sanford and Velma Susie Stutler, and brother, Roy Gene Stutler.

Kern is survived by a host of loving family, especially his wife of almost 68 years, Maxine Louise Stutler; sister, Marjorie Ann Bristol; daughter Judy Linker (Gary) of Lubbock, son Doug Stutler (Lori) of Shallowater, son Mark Stutler (Katie) of Stephenville; grandchildren Justin Linker (Libby), Brandon Wianecki (Alyssa), Logan Stutler (Ashten), Luke Stutler (Aubrey), Mitch Stutler, Mati Stutler, Zeke Stutler, and Marlee Stutler. Kern also doted on his great grandchildren: Logan Kern Linker, Emersyn Wianecki, Grayson Stutler, Brooks Stutler, Margaret Louise Linker (coming in January), and more to come. His legacy of love lives on through his family and all those he impacted through the years.

Donations can be sent to South Plains Church of Christ Mission Fund.

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