Eugene A. Lantz

Eugene A. Lantz passed away on February 6 at the age of 87. He was born in Christiana, Pennsylvania, and spent his childhood on a small farm near Paradise. His family - including his sister Arlene and his brothers Joseph, Gordon, and Norman - later moved to Chester, Pennsylvania, and he graduated from Chester High School in 1948. Throughout his career he drew on his interest in technology and his ability to do precision work. He served an apprenticeship as a clockmaker and trained at the Bowman Technical School in Lancaster, becoming a Certified Master Watchmaker in 1956. Later he spent many years at Harowe Servo Controls, an electronics company in West Chester, Pennsylvania, first in a variety of supervisory positions and later as a manufacturing engineer. During the late 1940s and early 1950s he also served in the US Naval Reserve.

But while work was important to Gene, he cared about his family even more. He married his wife Barbara in 1954 and was a loving husband for the next 63 years. He was also a dedicated father to his two daughters, Lisa and Lori. He was especially proud that Lisa shared his interest in technology and engineering, became a successful electrical engineer, and earned a master's degree in telecommunications. Lisa now lives in Melbourne, Florida. Gene was also supportive of Lori, who took a very different path and earned a doctorate in comparative literature. He warmly welcomed Lori's husband Olaf Tegeler to the family as well, even though the couple now live in Olaf's native country, Germany.

Throughout his life, Gene was an enthusiastic and committed Methodist. During the nearly 40 years he spent with his family in Media, Pennsylvania, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church there and served for a time as the president of the United Methodist Men. After he and Barbara retired and moved to Crystal River, they joined the First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, where he again became president of the United Methodist Men for a number of years. In addition, he found a real calling as an official visitor to members who were incapacitated or alone. His natural ability to put people at ease made him extremely beloved in this role.

Gene was also a Freemason and dedicated many years to Chester Lodge no. 236, including serving as the Grand Master in 1974. The camaraderie he experienced there was very important to him and resulted in many of his lasting friendships. In Florida he attended meetings of Floral City Lodge no. 133.

Gene is remembered by his family and many friends as someone unfailingly kind who loved people and enjoyed life to the fullest. "Fun, food, and fellowship" was his motto, and he was never happier than when enjoying simple pleasures with the people he cared about most.

Gene was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Ethel Lantz, his sister, Arlene Davis, and his brother Joseph Lantz.

A service to honor his memory will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, February 14 at the columbarium of the First UMC of Homosassa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church.