It was with deep sadness that I heard of Tom's passing.  I taught with him for a few years at LHSSC before the family's move out East.  I remember Bernie Tonjes and him being the two-headed principal in '88, safely shepherding the faculty and students through the many crises of that school year.  Tom had a strong faith in his Lord and a servant heart for his students.  Praise God because Tom knew that his Redeemer lives!

I have lost my genuine friend and colleague. His kind words, wonderful sense of humor and his wisdom are something I will always remember.  I will miss my true friend.

I was at a loss for words when I received the news, I still am. The lessons I learned from you, the patience you taught me are with me still today. I pray for your family to have the strength to deal with your loss. 


I love you Coach

Tom Lentsch was my grade school basketball and eighth grade teacher.  He instilled the fundamentals of the game in me and also taught me so many other things that I've carried with me throughout my life.  He truly cared for his students and players long after they left his classroom or gym. I remember, almost 20 years after being in his class, he met me at BWI airport as I was passing through, just to visit and catch up. He was that type of guy. He made a long lasting impression on me and has had influence on people's lives in more ways than he ever imagined.  I'm blessed to have known him.

No Greater Steward, No Greater Man! Unique in his love for others over self, Admiral Tom, Coach, Father, Husband and a Great Friend's  commitment to character, strength and honor through his unwavering love of God and Family, despite all, will be forever held dear and guide our understanding of God's hope for all of us.  For your loss, pain and suffering,  We offer our deepest condolences. Find peace in knowing Coach's unconditional and enduring love of God, he is at peace -  home with his maker.  Our hearts ache deeply, Diana Jeff David Lauren Hunter and Jacob Goodwin

Being an integral part in the birth of Lutheran High School of Dallas, Tom was our first Athletic Director and Government/History teacher. He coached our first true varsity basketball boys (oldest kids were sophomores) and our first team with seniors. He was a jokester, a father and a godly man. Even 35 years later, he was checking in with us Texans on Birthdays, weddings and many life events. What a blessing he was to us go! Go Lions! You were loved Coach!

I was blessed to have Mr. Lentsch as a teacher and it is obvious his ministry impacted so many individuals.  I wanted to share the kind words Mr. Lentsch wrote to me when my father passed away.   "I know the loss of a parent is tough but I'm sure you're aware that he is now with his Savior and experiencing only joy and happiness.  While we lose the physical presence of our parent, you will always have and feel his presence in your heart.  And so much that you do in daily life will remind you of the great influence they had in your life."  I pass these words of comfort to the family, friends, and fellow students of Mr. Lentsch.  Mr. Lentsch will forever remain in our hearts.

Dear Kathy,
     Marsha and I are truly sorry for your loss.  I will remember Tom for his friendship, support and loyalty when we served together at LHSSC, Missouri.  You and Amanda will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers as you work through this very difficult ordeal.  God Bless you!

Marsha and Dick Craven

Asking the Holy Spirit to give you an extra measure of His Comfort.

Truly very sorry for your loss.ISAIAH 57:15.

Mr. Lentsch was instrumental in getting a Golf team together.  I started bugging him when Spencer was in 6th grade.  He always took my calls and was very kind and understanding this obsessive mother.  Because of him Spencer and his golf team mates were able to play 4 years with a winning season his senior year.  Mr. Lentsch was a facebook friend and always had encouraging words and true kindness.  He will be missed. Prayers for peace. Treasure you memories. Talk of him often. He touched so many young lives and will always be remembered

" Tom never forgot anything.  I am honored he never forgot the friendship we shared through Probvers 18: 24b."

I always enjoyed visiting with Tom.  We shared a love of basketball, especially LHSSC and  Hoosier basketball.  I'll never forget the summer that Tom went to help with a basketball camp at IU, and brought me back an autographed picture of Bob Knight.  Thanks again, Tom.  We'll be praying for peace and strength your family, especially Kathy and Mandy.

I was privileged to know Tom as a team mate on the football team at Concordia Teachers College in Seward Nebraska, and as a colleague at The Lutheran High School of St. Charles County in my first year as principal, and Kathy as a member of Walther League at Faith Lutheran Church in Whittier, CA, and later in St. Charles, MO.

Tom loved teaching history, loved coaching, and serving as athletic director, loved Kathy, his wife, Mandy, their daughter, and their extended family, and loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Tom was a key part of the LHS Building Committee that met weekly at 6:00 A.M. at Noah's Ark.  He had a great respect for the founding fathers of the LHS Association congregations who served on that committee and was quick to poke fun at them, always asking why we had to meet at such an early hour before the dawn, but also had no other choice but to take their jabs as well.  

A top priority for Tom was to prepare his students to be be victorious... in the classroom, in competition, and in living a life of Christian faith.

St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15: 54, 55:
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
Where, O death is your victory?
Where, O death is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

You are in our prayers Kathy and Mandy.
But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

Larry & Sherrie Marty

We will miss you here, but know you are home and safe. Thank you for being a blessing in so many people's lives, including mine. You showed God's light constantly in so many ways, including humor. Thank you for your gifts. BLS Class of '05.

My twenty years of involvement with the MIAA gave me the opportunity to work with some of the finest people on this God's good earth. Tom was at the top of that list and embodied every quality that each of us can only strive to attain. God, family and job were always served with an unwavering ability to do it the right way. He never turned down an opportunity or request to go above and beyond. I only regret not spending more time with him in recent years. Rest In Peace Tom. I know we will meet again.

I had the opportunity to teach with Tom when Lutheran High in St. Charles was experiencing one crisis after another.  He NEVER gave up and ALWAYS keep his students first and foremost in his priorities.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with him.

My fondest memories involve his athletic duties at LHSSC. When the Building Committee mentioned they might paint his brand new office pink, he nearly flipped. And then there were the small "asides" he would say to the basketball referees with whom he disagreed. He was hilarious!  I'm sure heaven will be a bit more lively because of Tom's presence, as long as they don't give him a pink office!

Mr. Lentsch I'm having a hard time putting into words how I feel.  You were a great reflection of God's love for all his children.  You had such an impact on me and the other students at LHS.  Few teachers have left such lasting impressions on me as an adult and I thank you for all you did for us.  May you fly high with the angles.  May God watch over your family during this time.  Prayers to you all.    LHS St. Charles, Class of 91'.

How crushing to hear the news yesterday. Coach Lentsch has grown to be more of a friend than the coach/history teacher I had 30 years ago. He inspired many by his kind notes to all of his students on their birthdays, always mentioning his faith. Prayers for Kathy and Mandy, that they savor their memories of such a loving and giving man.
Following is a short poem:

My friend Keith just phoned me,
 to inform me of the news,
 News that quickly gave me,
 painfully deep blues.

Coach Tom Lentsch went asleep last night 
 and will not in this world wake.
 No way for us to say good bye.
 That call we cannot make.

He was a faithful man,
 so we all know for sure.
 Faithful to Christ our Savior,
 his salvation is secure.

Coach, you now know the answer,
 if there is basketball in Heaven.
 If so, I would like to play for you
 with all your others. That's a given.

In recent years, you made it known
 that you still cared for us all.
 Students and athletes you'd share your faith. 
 That was your Godly call. 

We miss you Coach.
Rick Fruend Class of '87 Lutheran High St. Charles, MO

Tom understood value in life, through his love for family, service to his country, and appreciation for all the young ladies and gentlemen whose lives he touched as a teacher, coach, and administrator. To his colleagues he was a trusted and valued friend and mentor. He truly was one of the good ones and he will be missed.

From the informal president of Admiral Lentsch's Fan Club - Godspeed, dear friend in Christ.  We'll meet again and this time share a feast at the feet of our Savior.  May He send His Spirit of comfort and peace to Kathy, Mandy, and others he held so dear.

Mr. Lentsch made such an impact on so many lives. We always knew how much he loved his wife and daughter, they were the lights in his life. We also knew how he cared for us, his students. We are sad to see him go, but rejoice with him for his trip home. With love and sympathy,  Lucinda Knox, LHS class of 89.

OBITUARY

Thomas Burnard Lentsch Jr.

November 29, 1948 – October 2, 2016

Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc.

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