Gary Lentz

Gary L. Lentz loved his family, his Labrador retrievers, fishing, a good glass of wine and an inappropriate joke. He was born to Hilda and Wallace Lentz in Hastings, Nebraska. He grew up in a close farming family where he learned how to fish and pheasant hunt, and where he developed his dry sense of humor. Gary and his cousins remain close to this day.

Gary earned a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nebraska. It was there, 60 years ago, that he met his wife, Carole Williams, on a blind date. Upon graduation, Gary joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. He attended Officer Candidate's School and received a commission as an Ensign. He had intended to join what would become the Navy Seals, but instead was selected by Admiral Rickover for the Navy's Nuclear Submarine Program. That moment would shape his life to come. Gary and Carole were married and began to travel with the Navy, living in Connecticut, California, South Carolina, Idaho Falls and Hawaii during his commission. After completing Submarine School, Nuclear Power School and the Reactor Training Program, he was assigned to the USS Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN 658. On this nuclear submarine he navigated the world from Scotland to Antartica, and Guam to the Panama Canal.

Shortly after the birth of his first child, Gary left the active Navy, but continued to serve in the reserves through 1992. Upon discharge he held the rank of Lt. Commander. The family eventually moved to Idaho Falls where his second daughter was born and he began his career in nuclear power with Argonne National Laboratory. He worked at Argonne for 30 years. While there, he also earned an MBA from the University of Idaho. He ultimately retired as Division Director of the Facilities Operation Division at Argonne.

Gary fostered a love of sports and the outdoors with his daughters, Amy and Sarah. He spent his weekends with them fishing, hiking, camping, skiing and cycling. With no soccer experience, he volunteered as an AYSO soccer coach in the early 1980's. Eventually he coached both the Skyline Girls' Varsity soccer team as well as local select soccer teams. He spent countless hours driving a suburban full of giggling girls around the western United States returning back home late on Sunday evenings while listening to Willie Nelson. He is still regarded by many as their favorite soccer coach.

Gary was a true expression of his parents Hilda and Wally. Hilda loved to read and yearned to travel. Wally preferred to garden and hunt. Gary and Carole traveled the world after their girls were grown visiting Italy, Vietnam, Cambodia, Chile, and New Zealand to name a few. They hiked Hadrian's Wall, the Picos de Europa and the Milford Track. Gary bicycled through Montana and completed the Tour of the Swan River Valley twice. He sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and fished Patagonia, Mexico, Cuba and his beloved South Fork. Gary enjoyed Idaho and the outdoors. He joined the Idaho Falls Community Garden and earned the Gardener of the Year award his first year.

On May 10th, Gary lost his battle with cancer. He was at home with his wife and daughters by his side. He was 80. He is survived by a loving wife of 57 years, his adoring daughters, Amy and Sarah, and their families. Gary is an example of a life well lived and will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.