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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Monday, February 18, 2002

Longtime ad man Robert Rotz dead at 83

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

Robert Rotz, a longtime Honolulu sign maker and ad man who was mentored as a young man by Duke Kahanamoku, died Feb. 11 at Straub Hospital. He was 83.

Rotz was born in Ritzville, Wash., and sailed to Honolulu in 1939. He spent the night of his arrival on a Waikiki beach.

He was awakened the next morning by Kahanamoku, who taught him to canoe and introduced him to his many acquaintances at the Honolulu Canoe Club.

Rotz founded the Honolulu Sign Company in 1947, which manufactured advertising and traffic signs, flags and later added a wide assortment of safety supplies and equipment.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Harriet; two sons, Robert and Terry; and a daughter, Louise. A memorial service will by held Thursday at 4 p.m. at Central Union Church, Atherton Chapel.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to One Kalakaua Senior Living Foundation, Central Union Church Building Fund or a charity of choice.