Richard Raymond Lentz was born in Bremerton, WA on August 19, 1932, the fifth child of Lt. Commander Frederick Casper Lentz and Florence Eugenia Lentz. He passed away peacefully in his bed at home on Sept 22, 2022 with his wife of 35 years, June, by his side. He had recently celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends.
Dick loved to work. As a young man he worked delivering newspapers, pharmaceuticals and groceries. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1952 and attended the University of Washington as a Theta Chi. When he graduated in 1956 with a BA in International Business, he was encouraged by the Bon Marche to join their Training Program. He ultimately managed the Men’s Departments and traveled throughout the world to procure merchandise.
He was a rising star in the retail industry and joined Schoenfeld Neckwear as a partner. In 1973, Dick and Walter Schoenfeld started Brittania Sportswear, the first fashion denim business. Brittania’s patchwork denim and tops were a huge hit and retailers could not get enough goods. A visionary in business and merchandise, Dick was also a consummate salesman. He started the “Pre-line” concept, where every season he invited the Young Men’s buyers from all over the country to come buy his line in Seattle to ensure getting deliveries. This was the beginning of Seattle’s era as a “force” in the Sportswear industry. Dick likened apparel lines to vegetables going bad after time. He believed a fashion brand was only fresh for about a decade. After they sold Brittania to Levi’s in 1980 he started UNIONBAY Sportswear with a new concept; “stone-washed denim”. He named the new parent company Seattle Pacific Industries to house other lines such as BREEZIN’, HEET, UNIONBAY Juniors, Sync, and a men’s collection called RE-UNION. What followed were other fashion start-ups such as Generra, Code Bleu, and so many others. Their presidents, designers, and salespeople mostly sprung from Brittania.
“Dick was a bold man! He promised my life would never be the same if I joined his team. Amazing how this man was able to assemble an incredible team of professionals around his new brand UNIONBAY Sportswear. Dick kept his promise. This man provided me a foundation and life tools which helped build my career.” Joey Rodolfo, Founder, Buki
Ten years later in 1990 he started FAST, a quick-turn young men’s business allowing retailers to use the new FAX machines for re-orders, eliminating huge inventory in retailers’ stocks. He then added Easy, a men’s sportswear line. Other companies he started were Northup North Park with five office buildings, The Learning Garden Childcare Center, and Executive Telecommunications. After retiring and getting bored Dick entered the Real Estate world in 2001 with Coldwell Banker Bain. Both buyers and sellers gravitated to Dick because of his business acumen and they trusted him as they saw he was a man of his word.
“This beautiful home we live in is a reminder of him. He made us laugh. He made us take risks. He gave us sound advice. He supported us. The list keeps going on.” Tin Cartwright
He was equally known for his outlandish fun and great humor, but also for his generous spirit. He was always engaged in the here and now and loved all the new technology and gadgets. UNIONBAY Sportswear was the very first apparel company to have a computer. It was as large as a room. Dick was then forced to engage programmers to write software dedicated to the apparel business. He lived his life to the fullest. He will be remembered and missed by family and friends, and by all those whose lives changed for having been touched by him.
When his friend Rich Komen was asked to describe Dick, he said ”SOLID. With a sense of humor.”
He is survived by his wife June Hiroshima Lentz. Dick met June while she was VP of Men’s at Federated Stores (Macy’s and Bloomingdales). They were married in 1987 and were true partners in life. They were a team at Coldwell Banker Bain. They were together both professionally and socially. Their love and respect for each other was obvious to anyone around them.
Dick is also survived by his three daughters who he adored; Jill Mills (David), Nancy Hopen, Judy Meckley (Matthew), six grandchildren; Taylor, Hayden, Courtney, Conley, Matthew, Spencer, and three great grandchildren. Dick’s nephew Mike Lentz (Jody) and their three sons Ryan, Richie, Andy and their families were a very important part of Dick’s life. Additionally he is survived by his first wife Barbara Neville Lentz.
Dick was active in fundraising and supporting the University of Washington where he is a member of the Tyee Club, Don James Club, and Alumni Association. He has also been a long-time member of WA Apparel Import Organization, Three on Three Basketball Boys Club, International President’s Elite, the 101 Club, Washington Athletic Club, Seattle Yacht Club, Broadmoor Golf Club, and was a Founding Father of Columbia Tower Club.
He always had something humorous to say. While watching the Queen’s funeral just last week Dick said, “When I go, I want my funeral to be just like hers!”
A Celebration of Life will be held for Richard Raymond Lentz on Saturday October 8th, 10:00 AM, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, 732 18th Ave. E. Seattle, WA. It will be followed by a reception at Broadmoor Golf Club.
Donations in Dick’s memory can be made to these organizations that were important to him:
Swedish Foundation: Designation to Heart and Vascular Institute
https://give.swedishfoundation.org/
UW Athletic Baseball or Football Programs
https://www.uwtyeeclub.com/support-husky-athletics/support-a-team/baseball/
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