Frank Edwin Lentz III

Frank, a longtime resident of Mechanicsburg, passed away surrounded by his family at 78 years old on December 9, 2024. Frank will be remembered as a loving husband to his wife of 55 years, Cheryl, his high school sweetheart. Frank was a proud father to his four children: Frank IV, Joshua, Ashley Metz, and Bradley. He was also a cherished Pop-Pop to Dagny and Frank Lentz V, and K.J. and Ahmere Metz.

Frank was born on February 8, 1946, in Philadelphia to the late Frank Edwin Lentz, Jr. and Barbara Jane (Hadley) Lentz. After living in Philadelphia for a short time, the family moved to Haddonfield and Ocean City, New Jersey. Though he lived in and attended Haddonfield schools, he always returned to Ocean City for the summer where his love of the beach grew. When old enough in Ocean City Frank sold newspapers up and down the beach and shined shoes on the boardwalk, boosting sales with his undeniable charm.  

In 1961 Frank and his mother moved to Carlisle, PA where he quickly made new life-long friends and met his 'steady girl', Cheryl.  He graduated from Cumberland Valley High School in 1964 and from Elizabethtown College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After many years working in healthcare administration he retired from Eye Doctors of Lancaster as Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer. Frank was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Camp Hill since 1968, where he served on church council, ushering, and flower delivery. He was also a member of the Plaza Condominium Board of Directors, and the West Shore Elks Lodge 2257. 

Frank had numerous hobbies, including antiquing, reading, golf, and traveling. Frank spent his summers in Ocean City, MD, where  a whole new group of friends turned into family. Here he shared his love of the ocean with his children and grandchildren, whom he taught to surf and catch crabs. When not on the beach you could find Frank on the water captaining his boat, the J.F. BradAsh, throughout the bay and ocean. He could always find the best fishing and crabbing spots and loved the challenge of knocking his kids off the inner tube being towed behind the boat.

It was not just the water that he enjoyed cruising on - he also had an affinity for old cars. Whether it be his 1958 Triumph TR-3, his 1967 Austin Healy 3000, or his 1949 Cadillac Hearse, you could be sure that Frank was riding in style.  He recently completed the restoration of his 1967 Austin Healy 3000 which was a life-long dream come true.

Frank was everything you could hope for as a husband, father, pop pop, friend, and mentor, and there will never be another like him.  He touched countless lives and will forever be missed.

All are welcome to join Frank’s family at his viewing on Monday, December 23, 2024, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with a service beginning at 12:30 p.m. all at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011; with Pastor John H. Brock officiating. Friends and family are invited for a time of food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421 (next to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation), immediately following the burial. Over 100 parking spaces are available; just look for the “Buhrig” parking signs in all of our parking lots.

The family will provide all funeral flowers and graciously ask that memorial donations in celebration of Frank’s life can be made to his church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011 www.trinitycamphill.org/donate or to Speranza Animal Rescue, 1216 Brandt Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 www.speranzarescue.org/donate. 

Frank’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Frank’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.