Robert Clarence Lentz

He was born in Seattle, Washington, on October 1, 1940. His childhood was in Portland, Oregon. His preachers Archie Word and Dallas Meserve instilled a lifelong passion for serving Jesus, which led him to go to San Jose Bible College. He loved to speak about Jesus with anyone who would listen, even traveling as a missionary to Brazil; Malawi, Africa; and a remote Alaskan village, Dillingham. Dad met Linda Smith at San Jose Bible College and together they had 2 children, Ron & Lisa. Several years later the marriage ended in a divorce. Dad later married Sylvia Jessup.

Dad loved photography and helped develop a lifelong passion for photography in his son’s life as well. Dad loved wildlife, particularly watching the elk at the Dean Creek Viewing area. Dad loved little children and seeing them smile and be happy. He recorded himself telling the kids stories about his time in Africa and Alaska and other adventures he had. Dad also loved the drag races and took Ron to many races, especially watching his former brother-in- law, Dennis Smith race. Dad loved music and had a strong singing voice; he could even sound like Elvis when he sang. He loved gospel music most of all, and in his final years listened to hours of the Gaither Vocal Band.

Dad would talk about his German ancestry on his dad’s side, and his Native American ancestry on his mother’s side. Dad had several physical setbacks in life from being blinded in one eye as a child, and hearing loss at a younger age, as well as dementia in his later life. However, he did not let these stop him from telling others about how good God was to him. He absolutely loved it when his grandsons preached, listening to them online as he quit traveling. He has many friends that have shared about the impact that Dad had on their life, always pointing us to the Lord. Dad was always encouraging us every week to meet around the Lord’s table and take the Lord’s Supper.

Dad served many churches and missions in his lifetime, and we will list these chronologically. San Jose, CA, country of Brazil, Dillingham, Alaska; Hays, KS; Milwaukee, OR; Yoncalla, OR; Canyonville, OR; Malawi, Africa; Carson City, NV; Reno, NV; Loveland, CO; Reedsport, OR; Coos Bay, OR; Arcata, CA; San Jose, CA; Yoncalla, OR; Scottsbluff, NE; Coos Bay, OR, Reedsport, OR.

He leaves behind his children, Ronald Lentz, his son, Lisa (John) Racine, his daughter, 4 Grandchildren Sarah (Chad) Anderson, Nathan (Shantel) Racine, Deborah Racine, Stephen (Natalie) Racine, 7 great grandchildren: Hudson, Charlie, Zachary, Felicity, Remington, Harrison, and Claire; his brothers: Larry (Deborah) Lentz, Donald (Peggy) Lentz. His half-brother Paul Henking, and half-sister, Joni Henking, his wife, Sylvia Lentz, and several nephews & nieces, being especially close to Bill (Yolanda) Groombridge.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Lentz, his 2nd mother who raised him from 2-year-old onward, Feryl Lentz, his mother, Mildred Carl Henking, his sister, Bette M Lentz, his half-brother Herbert Henking, His nephew, Christopher Lentz.

The memorial will be held at the Church at Reno, 1205 N McCarran Blvd, Reno, NV, 89512 on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 am. Please plan on staying for a meal after the service. All friends and family are welcome. The family asks that donations be made to the congregation that he spent his final years at: Church of Christ at Reedsport, C/O Caleb Bradmon, 1869 Greenwood Ave, Reedsport, OR 97467 instead of flowers or other gifts.