Edward Allen Lentz

Edward Allen Lentz 89, died at Mt. Carmel Hospital following a brief battle with lung cancer. In the two years prior after suffering a stroke, Ed valiantly worked to regain his health with the help of devoted wife Meg and daughter Beth who served as his motivators and cheerleaders. He is preceded in death by parents Otto Albert and Martha Mary Ann (Grubel) Lentz, a brother Hank and sister Alma. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-three years Meg and daughter Beth (Jeff) Randall. A man of many interests and probing intellect, Ed applied his full energy to any job he tackled. He touched many lives with his unflappable optimism, gentle fun loving nature, and practical confidence. Ed was a family man first. He married the beautiful girl in a blue dress he met at the University of Cincinnati while pursuing a BS degree (1951). While there he played on the first UC Bearcat Basketball Team to gain national recognition. Meg and Ed married the next year May 30, 1952. Wayne State University, Detroit awarded him a Masters in Health Administration in 1957 which launched his career as Director/CEO/Consultant in health administration with: Public Health Federation, Cincinnati, 1954-57; Columbus Hospital Federation, 1962-65; Ohio Hospital Association, Columbus, 1965-69; Health Planning Association of Ohio river Valley, Cincinnati 1969-70; Ohio Department of Health 1972-75; Medical Advances Institute, Columbus, 1975-79; Mt. Carmel Health System, Columbus serving as Vice President and Consultant, 1979-97; and as a consultant with the United States Public Health System, 1997. Ed wrote articles for professional journals and taught at The Ohio State University College of Medicine as an adjunct professor in preventive medicine 1957-1990 and as assistant professor in the graduate program in health services administration 1970-72. He served as a member and chair on the boards of: Ohio Department Human Services/Ohio Medical Care Advisor Committee, Columbus 1975 and Netcare Corporation, Columbus, 1989-2012. As a veteran Ed served with the United States Navy 1944-46 and as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict 1951-53. Special awards and citations were received for and from: Hospital Planning and Marketing in Ohio, the Delbert L. Pugh Conference, Ohio State University College of Medicine, and Ohio Hospital Association. Ed was a member of the: Ohio Public Health Association (president 1969-70); American Association Areawide Planning Agencies (president 1969-70); a Fellow American Public Health Association (vice chairman and trustee 1979-83); Ohio Hospital Association Society for Hospital Planning and Marketing (president 1987-88); and Columbus Rotary committee chair. Ed's support of his community never faltered. In recent years, as a member of WOOSE (We Oppose Ohio State Airport Expansion) he helped developed a detailed report on the impact of the expansion of OSU's Don Scott field on the City of Worthington. Ed's loving spirit endeared him to the people in his life and they in turn showered him with their caring. Special thanks to the team at Mt. Carmel Hospital who nursed Ed through his recent illness. You are invited to celebrate Ed's life with the family from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, at Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6696 High Street, Worthington, Ohio. Or you may remember him in your own way - by sharing a moment with a friend or giving your family a little extra special attention or by making a gift to your favorite charity in his memory.