Russell William Lentz 1920-2009 | Russell Collections

William, Jason Hubbard, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jesse, Augustus, Verda

Dr. Russell William Lentz

1920-2009

Parents

Profile/Bio

Occupations:

Worked at the Rosepark Fire Department while going to school

1943: Army, WWII, Korea War

1955: Dentist

Religious affiliations: Lutheran

Obituary:

Russell William Lentz

March 17, 1920-April 03, 2009

Russell William Lentz was born in the family home in Salem on St. Patrick’s Day, Mary 17, 1920, to William and Verda (Russell) Lentz. The oldest of three children, he grew up with his sister, Louise, and brother, Wesley, in Grande Rode. His father was an engineer for the local railroad company, and his mother was a teacher who deeply valued education and raised her children to love learning and nurture their intellectual curiosity. In high school, for example, Russell built his own working Ferris wheel and offered rides to brave friends and neighbors.

After graduating from the one room schoolhouse in Grand Ronde, Russell attended Linfield College for two years until he was recruited by the University of Washington for basketball and baseball. Following his graduation, Russell went to the University of Oregon Dental School, receiving his DMD. He then joined the Navy, serving during both World War II and the Korean War.

During dental school, he met the love of his life, Ardyce Wik from Silverton. They married in 1944. In October 1945, their only child, Carol was born. Following Carol’s birth, they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and in 1946 returned to Portland where Russell opened his dental practice. In 1957, they purchased a home on Blue Lake in Fairview, where they spent many happy years. Russell was very active in the Dental School and the Oregon dental community, where he taught classes and served on numerous dental boards. In addition, he provided wonderful dental care to generations of Oregon families.

Russell’s other interests included golf, fishing, flying and waterskiing. Both Russell and Ardyce, relished the time spent with their only grandchild, Jay who is now following in his grandfather’s footsteps in the field of medicine. In 1998, Russell retired due to his wife’s advancing Parkinson’s disease. Ardyce passed away Oct 2, 2005, and was cared for tirelessly at home throughout the long course of her illness by Russell and those she loved.

Last month, Russell joyfully celebrated his 89th birthday surrounded by over 100 of his family and friends, including generations of colleagues and patients who came from h=near and far to express their love and respect. He was also fortunate in his last years to have the care and company of his good friend and caretaker, Lana Wilkins, with whom he shared many adventures big and small. While his dedication to his work and family serve as a model to us all, perhaps his greatest legacy is his spirit of joyous playfulness. He taught us that 68 is the perfect age to learn how to windsurf, and his infectious, one-of-a-kind laugh still rings in our ears.

Russell is survived by his brother, Wesley Lentz, daughter, Carol Gardner, and grandson, Jay Gardner.

Please send remembrances to the OHSU school of Dentistry.

Russell Lentz

By Wally Russell, 11 July 2006

There was one memorable time when I was with Uncle Bill and Aunt Verda. Probably on two and maybe four weeks, but what a glorious time. I got to eat cornflakes heated in a pan in the oven. Delicious! We never had cornflakes.

You’ve probably heard of the famous ferris wheel from others. It was a simple two seater and the top seat was probably not more than ten feet off the ground. But was it exhilarating!! It seems to me that almost after every ride something had to be fixed. Russell could always make it work. In fact, he constructed it. Quite remarkable, because I doubt if he was over 12 or 13 years old.

I think there were two streams in Grand Ronde. The Yamhill of course, and another smaller one I think was Rogue. Russell built a raft. Not just any old raft, mind you, but one with a sweep (didn’t know that’s what it was called in those days) and I think places to sit and maybe a little shelter. I can’t remember noticing that uncle Bill or Aunt Verda ever worried about us, but they must have.

Sometimes, we’d all (us kids) get on the flat car with the loggers and ride up into the timber where the logging was going on. Uncle Bill would let us off somewhere to play for the whole day. When it was time to go home there was a special toot from the engine and we’d come running to ride home. I can’t remember what we’d play at.

One morning Uncle Bill got me up early to ride with him with a train load of logs to Willamina. I got to ride up in the cab the whole time. What a memory I have of that. I got to drive the train!! Uncle Bill let me sit on his lap and hold the throttle—that great big lever.

When I graduated from cadet training during the War, Ellen I got married…somehow during that time, Russell and Ardyce took this newly married cousin and his bride out to dinner. Grandma’s Kitchen?? Anyway, it was where the big steaks are. It was there that Russell educated me about steaks. “Forget about the filet mignon, the New York Steak is the best. I’ll never forget how gracious he was. You know he’s only two years older than I am, but I still look up to him..

In the years to come, when our reunion was growing and going through its transition stages, Russell & Ardyce always came to our yearly organizational meetings. Though he was never a committee member, his input and his support was a big encouragement to us all. Some of those early meetings were really mini reunions.

These are my Memories of knowing Russell Lentz

A Dear Cousin to Me… from Anabel A. Lathrop Buddee

It was in the late 20’s that my mother, Inis, would drive down to Grand Ronde and stay for over a month with Aunt Verda and Uncle Bill at their home, which was a company-owned home there. It was located on a corner and it still stands today and is occupied, for I recently drove by.

Mother was the seamstress of the family, so while she sewed, I had fun with Loise, Russell and Wesley. Russell was always busy and this one summer that I remember so well, he built a nice ferris wheel. At the time, it seemed huge and Russell would not let me play on it for he was afraid that I would fall. He was always kind.

Still on the corner, after one turns to the right to come into the “town”, there is a store with a risen walk in front. Loise and I would walk there with a dime and spend time thinking and choosing what we could buy and at that time, it was a lot.

Years later, after Rudy had returned from India and the war ended, we were at Oregon State while Russell was attending Dental College. He needed a patient to do dental work on; I needed some work done and so I would drive up. He did the work while his friends looked in my mouth and found work that they thought I needed done AND that they needed the credit for. As a result, I have the most beautiful set of teeth that my dentists today look at and marvel. They always recognize the Dental College work. So, I thank you, Russell, EVEN TODAY, for perfect work that has lasted ALL THESE YEARS.

My best to you and your family always from a cousin that loves you.

NOTES FROM BROTHER WES

Factual Information regarding Russell Wm Lentz

Russell grew up in the small community of Grand Ronde where his father was a Railroad Engineer. After high School, he attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. From there, he entered North Pacific Dental College in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1945. During his years in Dental School, he worked for Parkrose District Fire Dept. in Portland.

After graduating from dental school, and this being during World War II, Russ served in the Navy, stationed at San Diego, Calif. After his “stint” in the Navy, he returned to Portland and started his private dental practice in Parkrose district. After several years in a small upstairs office, he and a colleague built a beautiful dental office known as Maywood Park Dental in the Parkrose District in Portland.

Over the years, Russ enjoyed golfing, hunting, and swimming and boating on Blue Lake where he and his wife, Ardy built their lovely home overlooking the lake. He still resides there.