Gordon S. Lorentz 111.
August 22, 1942 – April 11, 2022
Obituary
On Monday, April 11, 2022 at 12:34 AM, after fighting a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Gordon went to join his Heavenly Father. He passed peacefully in his sleep at the Colonial Nursing Home in Crown Point, IN. He was 79 years old. Gordon was born in Wilmington, Delaware on August 22, 1942. He was the third child of Gordon S. Lorentz, Jr. and Dorothy Lorentz.
After his parents divorce, his mother, Dorothy was left to raise three children on her own. He was closest to his sister Barbara whom is now deceased. He always spoke very fondly of his maternal grandparents who resided in Mount Dora, Florida. His grandfather taught him to fish.
Gordon was quite active at Westmoreland, Pennsylvania High School (graduated 1960). He was in the Honor Society, Key Club, and enjoyed football, golf & wrestling. He seemed to be popular with the girls according to the writings in his yearbook. He worked at a local soft serve ice cream shop and often demonstrated to his children the talent associated with getting the proper “twirl” on the cone.
After his high school years he attended The Pennsylvania State University – Yes!! Home of his Beloved Nittany Lions! Boy!! He was a forever fan! Graduated from Penn State on December 12, 1964. While in college Gordon was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. To his pride, his son, Steven, also was a legacy pledge at the same Fraternity at Purdue.
He married Marsha and had two children, William & Timothy. He worked for Marriott Corporation after graduation which transferred him to many venues including managing a cafeteria in The Smithsonian Institution. He always had great memories of working at The Smithsonian; he said he often took different routes within the building on his way to the cafe just to explore some of the exciting exhibits the building had to offer. On one of his several transfers with the Marriott corporation, Gordon ended up in Indiana, living in Griffith and running the cafeteria in River Oaks Center.
Gordon decided to leave Marriott and go to work for Merrillville Community School Corporation, where he spent the next 33 years of his career starting as Food Service Director. In 1980 he was the President of Indiana School Food Service Association. At the end of his career he was an administrator with the Merrillville Community School Corporation as the Director of Maintenance Services. Upon retirement in 2004, he formed his own company and worked for as a consultant for the same school corporation.
Other philanthropy activities included being involved with the Merrillville Kiwanis club (President in the 1983/1984 year and the 1995/1996 year, Secretary/Treasurer in the 1984/1985 year as well as a officer of the Inter-club council. After retiring Gordon volunteered his time and services as the Treasurer for the Crown Point Sheriff’s House Foundation. He also was there when the filming of Public Enemy was done in 20 – yep – he met Johnny Depp!
He was always a busy guy, even running the Chicago Marathon twice (once with his son Bill). Gordon was an avid golfer, enjoyed his golf league and loved playing in outings.
Gordon was very involved with the First United Methodist Church in Crown Point. He was on many committees, Staff Parish, Trustees, Administrative Board and Family Ministries, many of which he served as Chairperson. He loved attending and cooking for several of the church activities & knew his way around the kitchen, especially the “dish machine” as he would call it.
In 1989 he married his current wife, Nancy, with whom he raised two children, Erin Quinn, Nancy’s daughter, and their child together, Steven Lorentz. Gordon was a wonderful father who spent many hours attending softball, baseball, football, soccer, wrestling, Boy Scouts, Indian Guides (in which he also was involved with his son Bill), gymnastics, and cheerleading. He also tried to instill a love for music in his children. The family vacationed several times a year and created unforgettable memories.
Gordon was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy; his sister, Barbara Middlestead; Brother-in-law, Grant Middlestead; a devastating loss of his son, Timmy, at six years old; and Nancy’s parents, Jim & Barbara Hoffman, with whom he was very close.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 33 years, Nancy; sons, Bill (Meghan) Lorentz, Steven Lorentz and daughter, Erin Hooton; grandchildren Piper & Tatum Lorentz, Gunnar and Brinley Hooton; sister-in-law, Diana (Mike) Waisnora; brother-in law, Jim (Janet) Hoffman and brother-in-law, Bob (Mary) Hoffman and many nieces and nephews.
Gordon generously donated his body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. This gift will contribute significantly to the advancement of health science education in the state of Indiana. Those, like Gordon, who decide to bequeath their bodies to the health sciences have made a significant contribution that benefits the quality of life and care for the living.
A memorial service will be on Monday, April 25, 2022, at First United Methodist Church, 352 S. Main St. in Crown Point, Indiana.
Visitation: 10:00 a.m.
Service: 11 :00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following:
First United Methodist Church of Crown Point Memorial Fund, 352 South Main St. Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Anatomical Education Program, 635 Barnhill Drive MS 304, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202