Bruce Beatty Lenz

Bruce B. Lenz passed away April 9, 2014 after a brief illness. He was born on March 14, 1941 in Evanston, Illinois to Lois Beatty Lenz and Donald Mayo Lenz. He grew up in Chicago and moved to upstate New York where he graduated from Skaneateles High School with honors. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1963 where he majored in electrical engineering. After graduation, he served in the Rickover nuclear submarine program for seven years. While in the Navy, Bruce met the love of his life, Sarah (Sally) Ames, and they were married on February 6, 1965. They recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. Their only son Michael (Mike) was born in 1968 in Springfield, MA, and two years later Bruce left the Navy and moved to Oklahoma City, Sally's birthplace. He worked as a marketing and sales executive for Kerr-McGee and several other companies in the nuclear power industry. A true engineer, Bruce enjoyed projects of all kinds from computers to model trains especially those he could do with his son. As a Navy man, he loved sailing and belonged to the Oklahoma City Boat Club for many years. He was a member of the Navy League, the Oklahoma City Base of the US Submarine Veterans, and the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. A devoted husband and father, he loved family vacations and activities of all kinds, exploring new places, meeting people and socializing with friends and family. Bruce is survived by his wife, Sarah Lenz of Edmond; his son, Michael of Los Altos, CA, and wife Christine; and his grandchildren, Sophie and Daniel. He is also survived by his two brothers: Donald Mayo Lenz, Jr. of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and his sons, Wylie and Andrew, and Robert Dean Lenz, his wife, LaDonna of Denver, CO and their children, Becky, Liz & Greg. He is preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation or the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1963 Center for Academic Excellence, both at 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402. Bruce will be inurned at the U.S. Naval Academy columbarium. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Church of the Servant in OKC.