Charles Wilson Rentz IV

Dr. Charles Wilson Rentz IV (Charlie/Pop), 88 of North Palm Beach went to join Jesus and his family and friends on Friday, November 29, 2024. Charlie was born in Florence, SC, the son of, and proceeded by, Charles Wilson Rentz III and Carolyn McManus Rentz.

Charlie is survived by his adoring wife, Patricia; his daughter Kendall Ott and her husband Rick; two grandchildren Cade & Savannah Artusi; his brother Ted Rentz; numerous nieces and nephews; and his loyal dog Charlie.

Charlie graduated from Dreher High School, The University of South Carolina and The Medical College of Virginia Dental School. In 1961 he joined the United States Air Force, during the Cuban Missile Crisis and practiced his first two years of Dentistry at the Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. After his service to the Country, he returned to Columbia, SC. where he practiced dentistry for over 20 years before moving to South Florida where he continued to practice dentistry, in Port St. Lucie and Riviera Beach for an additional 40 years. His wife Pat worked by his side for over 40 years, they were an inspirational team. He loved his dental office family.

Charlie was an amazing athlete and carried that into his passion for adventure. He played baseball at the University of South Carolina, for the Air Force and was offered a contract to play professionally for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He chose not to pursue the baseball career, but at his mother’s encouragement, he decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps to take care of his family by dedicating his life to dentistry. He was an avid golfer and played in the ProAm golf league, his animated personality landed him on the front page of many SC Sports Pages. His South Carolina life included hunting, camping, gathering oysters, riding in airboats, fishing and traveling to Florida and the Bahamas. He and his wife built a house in South Carolina with their own hands and enjoyed all of these activities with his group of dear friends and family.

In 1982 he and his wife decided to move the family to South Florida, not only to play golf, but, in his words, to provide the family with a new life, filled with different adventures. He accomplished so much to include becoming a pilot. But his love of the ocean may have been his biggest motivation. He loved to fish and dive and spent the summers with his family and friends living on various boats in the Bahamas, doing what he loved best. These experiences had a huge impact on his grandchildren, instilling a love of the ocean and nature and leading his granddaughter Savannah to pursue a career in environmental law.

In true Charlie fashion, in his mid 50s he picked up snow boarding and bought a house in Colorado where he pursued his next adventure of part time mountain living. Pat would often say, “Charlie you are the kite and I am your tail”. Charlie only slowed down in his 80s when physical limitations changed his passion to slowing down, watching sports and simply taking care of his family and dog. Charlie loved to cook and participated in cooking Thanksgiving dinner two days before he passed. He is truly an inspiration and in the words of his grandson Cade, “Pop taught us so much, and now he has even taught us how to pass with grace.” He will be missed dearly.

Charlie quietly loved the Lord, inspired by Billy Graham as a young man and found comfort in knowing that he would be reunited with his family and friends who preceded him in death, his parents, brother William Rentz, sisters Jane Busto and Nancy Rentz and many dear friends.

A friends and family drop-in for “The Life and Times of Charlie Rentz” will be held from 1:00pm- 5:00pm on Sunday, December 8th at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Rentz- 2128 S. Palm Circle, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408. An additional gathering will be held in Columbia, South Carolina at a later date, TBA.