VICTOR KEITH STOLZ 5.6.61 - 8.16.07
Keith (or Keiter) was born in Ventura and lived most of his life here in the Ojai Valley. On Thursday, August 16, 2007, he was found dead outside the Ojai Library. He was 46 years old.
I am writing this in remembrance of my friend Keith Stolz. I met him about six years ago. I would walk the bike path with my two dogs in the early morning. We would meet him half way through. Sometimes Keith would walk with us and other times we would just stop to say hi. I have many stories in my memory about how kind and compassionate Keith was. I would like to share two of them.
A while back, I was going through some traumatic times. Keith saw me one day crying. He shared some sweet words and I went on my way. The next morning, there was a little white heart shaped rock in the palm of my St. Francis statue. I cannot put in to words how much light that little stone brought into my life. I collected heart shaped rocks and I could not think of a soul who would have put it there. My life was full of darkness and every time I saw it I smiled. I swore an angel had placed it there. Weeks went by and Keith stopped by for a visit. It was then he shared that he had carved the heart out of an alabaster stone and placed it there on his way to church. St. Francis has held that rock for the last two and half years.
It was rare that Keith would ask me for anything. One evening, he showed up at my house with tears in his eyes. He said that a car had hit Jeff, his best friend, and he didn’t know if he was alive. I told him to get in the car and we would go find which hospital he was at. When we found Jeff, Keith embraced him with such love that I was in awe. It was so endearing. I had to ask myself, “Do I have a best friend that would be so genuine, compassionate, and upset if I was hurt?”
When I first heard of Keith's death, I was not surprised. I was grateful that his spirit left his body at the library and not someplace else. It was my understanding that Keith had been in and out of the hospital for heart and liver problems for many months. For the last two months, every time I saw him I was worried it was going to be the last. One of the last times I saw him, he told me he was dying. I hugged him and told him I loved him and was worried about him. He replied, “Oh honey, don’t worry about me. I can’t wait to go fishing with Jesus”.
He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Bob Smith and Kristina Thom; great-nephew Jerry Don Drury; and many other friends in Ojai, who were also his family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Jean Stolz, who worked for many years at Grey Gables of Ojai; his brother, Randy McGahey of Coverdale, Calif.; and his grandparents MoMo and PaPa Stark.
Kathrina Smith said (on The Ojai News blog)... http://ojaivalleynews.blogspot.com/2007/08/remembering-keith.html
Keith Stolz is my uncle and a very loved part of our family. He was a gentle kind soul and a very talented carpenter. He loved to work with his hands and to be out doors. We grew up together in the Ojai Valley and he always thought of it as his home. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. I and his family would like to say thank you to the community for your kind words and well wishes at such a difficult time. Sweat Dreams Uncle Keith. You are always in our hearts. Soar with the angels and may God Bless You and keep you.
Keith was also referred to as “a good hearted guy who showed up for work when he said he would”, “always kind…and had an unselfish heart”.
Keith Stolz was my friend and an angel on earth. I miss him greatly. Sending love and blessings to his family and friends and may Keith and Jesus catch some mighty fish.
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Comments (13)
Thank you, Laura. Posts like this, about our community and its members, are what make The Ojai Post particularly rewarding for me.
Comment #1 Posted by: Tyler | September 2, 2007 01:16 PM
Thank you Laura for your beautiful, sacred tribute to Keith Stolz. And thank you Tyler for making the Ojai Post a place where we can share our stories.
Comment #2 Posted by: Suza | September 2, 2007 01:35 PM
You can read my comments at the Ojai News blog referred to above. I'll add my condolences to his relatives and friends here. I'm just wondering now if the family has pursued the investigation any further. It's not my place to get involved in that (and please forgive me for stirring things up at this time of mourning), but I did happen to run into one of Keiter's close friends who suggested that there is more than meets the eye in this "accidental death." I have no evidence to offer in this case, but I do have personal experience with gang violence in Ojai and was able to draw attention to the incident at the time through a letter to the editor of the Ojai Voice, although, unfortunately, our efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice were unsuccessful.
Comment #3 Posted by: Lanny | September 2, 2007 01:35 PM
one of keiths friends held my hand, looked me in the eyes, and said "nobody hurt him that night, nobody hurt him" and then hugged me with firm overwhelming sorrow. i dont know if he was just protecting me. it felt sincere. i want to believe that keith died in his sleep. if that is not the case i hope there will be justice.
Comment #4 Posted by: laura stinchfield | September 2, 2007 01:48 PM
I can't say that I knew him, but may have by sight. None the less, Alyeska and I went to his memorial and were glad that we did. Something was clearly good in this man, for those who spoke of him, and those who simply took in the moment for remembrance, were many.
Comment #5 Posted by: Dana and Alyeska | September 3, 2007 09:51 PM
Although I didn't know Keith Stolz and had no intention of commenting, I must say that his story and the comments about him are really profound and touching. I have known a few people like him in my life whom I'm afraid I never appreciated until they were gone. I feel they are messengers sent into our lives for some unknowable noble purpose until they are called home as we will be some day. Some are called early and some later, we never know. But I believe we will see them again at journys end when our greater purpose will be clear. I'm sure Keith will be waiting with fish for all, perhaps even me. --Ed Nemechek.
Comment #6 Posted by: Ed Nemechek | September 4, 2007 03:44 PM
I concur with that statement. I hope he was a Christian, therefore Heaven awaits him and all other believers.
Comment #7 Posted by: Anonymous | September 4, 2007 03:47 PM
Forgive me but I cannot resist the temptation to jump in. I come from a Christian family who believes as Anonymous 3:47 PM. As I always tell my father, only God knows what is really in our hearts. The kingdom of heaven is within. I think we are all in for a big surprise when we float out of our bodies!
Comment #8 Posted by: Suza | September 4, 2007 04:59 PM
What if Mr. Stoltz was not a Christian? What is he was Jewish or Buddhist or Muslim or any number of other religions? Or maybe not baptized? Do Christians believe only they and those of their faith will go to heaven? Is heaven a segregated place?
Comment #9 Posted by: Questioning Faith | September 5, 2007 10:08 AM
If your not a Christian, your hopeless.
Comment #10 Posted by: Anonymous | September 5, 2007 10:14 AM
Please don't feed the trolls. Tolerance and acceptance are virtues.
Comment #11 Posted by: Tyler | September 5, 2007 10:33 AM
Another example of intolerance of Christianity. Spare the insults Tyler. Everyone has a right to their opinion.
Comment #12 Posted by: evan the great | September 5, 2007 10:54 AM
And I have a right to moderate this site how I see fit, which includes banning commenters based on their IP address. Please avoid impersonating others, and realize that advocating tolerance of everyone is not intolerance of Christianity.
Comment #13 Posted by: Tyler | September 5, 2007 10:58 AM