Clifford Charles Lutz, Jr.
Clifford Charles Lutz, Jr., 49, New Bern, North Carolina
Clifford Charles Lutz Jr, suddenly passed on Thursday August 25, 2016 at the Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern, NC. Born March 3, 1967 and known to family as “Charlie,” in Berwick, PA, he was the beloved son of Bonnie Perko, Clifford Charles, Sr. and Donna Lutz.
He graduated from Central Columbia High School, Bloomsburg, PA in 1985. He then attended Scranton University through 1989 where he earned bachelor’s degrees in both Biology and Philosophy. After this, he attended medical school at the Uniformed University School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD. He graduated in 1993 with a Medical Doctorate and was commissioned in the United States Army Medical Corps. He completed a residency in emergency medicine, and after serving on active duty for 29 years, he retired as a Colonel. His service included positions as a flight surgeon, an emergency medicine physician and a hospital commander. He was highly respected in the special operations community. He served with 3rd Special Forces Group, which included a lengthy tour in Afghanistan. Additionally, he was a talented clinician and educator serving as academic faculty at Brooke Army Medical Center and as a professor of military and emergency medicine at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine (USUHS). His final assignment was as Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine at USUHS where he was called to inspire and educate the next generation of military physicians. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 awards) and various additional personal, unit and campaign awards including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He earned the Expert Field Medical Badge, Flight Surgeon Badge, Parachutist Badge, Naval Diving Medical Badge and Scuba Diver Badge.
Cliff was board certified as an emergency medicine physician. Since his retirement from the Army two years ago, he actively provided emergency care in several civilian medical facilities on the Carolina Coast, most recently at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern, NC.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and also enjoyed cycling and motorcycle riding. He was an active participant of the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Fort Belvoir, Virginia chapter, and attended the Garber United Methodist Church in New Bern, NC.
He is survived by his wife, Krista Kissinger Lutz, his mother, his father and stepmother, 3 sisters, Tammy Rubenstein, Jennifer Nowakoski and Ronda Gaizick, 3 nephews, Jason Nowakoski, Christopher Nowakoski and James Gaizick, and 2 nieces, Brittany Nowakoski and Rachel Gaizick.
A memorial service will be held in the town in which he grew up, at the Evansville United Methodist Church, 8 Lights Road, Berwick, PA on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 2:00 PM. A second memorial service will be held in the town where he and his wife reside, at the Garber United Methodist Church, 4201 Country Club Road, New Bern, NC on Saturday September 10, 2016 at 2:00PM. Cliff's family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (a subdivision of the Wounded Warrior Project): https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/projecthealingwatersflyfishing
