A Final Post

A joyful Celebration of Life was held for Bob at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 9, 2019.  The church was filled to capacity and our family was so honored by the many people who came from near and afar to this service and the visitation on Friday evening at Cress Funeral Home.  Thank you to all who have reached out to us in so many ways with their sympathy, prayers, and caring.  I think Bob would have been amazed by the outpouring of love.  The reflections made by Professor and close friend Tom Jahns, mission partner Helen Madsen, and our three wonderful children Becky, Carolyn, and Steve painted a picture of Bob that highlighted his passion for his family, for his teaching and mentoring students, and for his service to others. Pastors Charlie, Clara, and Sandy added scripture, prayers and spiritual reflections that filled the service with God’s presence. Despite our deep sadness, the service and all those present brought joy to our hearts that so many people loved and cared about Bob.  Prior to the service, Bob’s ashes were placed in Covenant’s Columbarium in a niche with room for Sally’s ashes when her life on earth also ends.

News was received on February 7, just 11 days after Bob’s death, that he has been named to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions that can be awarded to an engineer. Here is the link to the College of Engineering article about this honor.

https://www.engr.wisc.edu/sensing-controls-pioneer-lorenz-named-national-academy-engineering/

Thanks again to all of you who have followed Bob’s cancer journey through the Caring Bridge site.  Bob received much comfort and love from your posts during his life and we both thought these helped him extend his life as long as possible.  He always looked ahead to the positive opportunities that lay ahead and as he said in each post he strived “to make each day count.”  He was amazing successful at doing this and it allowed him to be joyful and productive to the end despite his illness.

With gratitude,

Sally Lorenz and family