Richard Thomas Lenart

Richard was born in Phoenixville, PA on December 17, 1955 to Margaret and Frank Lenart. He received his AA degree from Biscayne Paramedical Institute, Florida, in 1978 graduating as Salutatorian with a Medical Technologist degree. He married his wife, Debbie (Bruner), in 1979 and moved to Wilkes Barre, PA, where he worked as a laboratory technician in a blood bank. His next job took him to West Chester, PA, then to New Hampshire where his daughter Stefanie was born. Then, after a brief stint in Anchorage, AK as the manager of an autologous blood bank, the family moved to San Diego where Rich continued his work in the medical field as a Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager for several medical device companies.

Richard’s first love, other than his family, was music. He started playing the organ at a very young age. His love of music led him to begin playing at church, beginning with playing for his older sister’s wedding. This led to audition and obtain the organist/choir director position at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Chester Springs, PA at the ripe age of 16. Little did he know that he would meet his future wife, Debbie, who sang in the choir. They would be married at that same church 7 years later.

Richard always loved organ music and each time he moved he would seek out the pipe organs in the area. He enjoyed playing so much that he decided he would become a substitute organist which led to a permanent position as organist for Grace Lutheran Church in San Diego. Rich has played for many churches in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Alaska and San Diego. His last full time organist position was for Linda Vista Presbyterian Church in Linda Vista, CA, where he served for over 13 years.

Richard is survived by his wife, Debbie, sister, MaryAnn Buttaro, brother, William Lenart, daughter, Stefanie, and grandchild, Frank.