Frank Aron Lorenz
ELM GROVE - Frank Lorenz, age 89, of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, passed away August 16, 2023 at home with his faithful dog, Winston at his side. Frank, known as Buzz and Boppie, to many of his friends, was born to Frank and Susan Lorenz on July 19, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He married Dolores Chadobba in 1957 and was married until her death in 2022.
Frank enjoyed life, giving back to the community, and mentoring those that wanted or needed help. He preached about having a positive mental attitude. He did his best to motivate others. One of his favorite messages was, successful people are willing to do what others will not do.
Frank attended Rufus King High School on the north side of Milwaukee and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity and served as their social chairman. He and Dolores loved to attend Badger football games and were season ticket holders for many years. One of his favorite Wisconsin experiences was going to the Rose Bowl in 1994 with Dolores, where they cheered the Badgers on to a 21 to 16 victory against UCLA. While getting on the bus at 4 AM to go to the Rose Bowl parade, the bus driver asked him what people from Wisconsin usually do at 4 AM. His answer, milk the cows.
After college, he had a successful career working in sales and management. In the late 70s, he joined Oven Systems Incorporated (OSI) and was instrumental in establishing OSI as the world’s leading oven company for the processing of beverage cans. He was famous for his accomplishments and was fondly referred to as the “Can Man”, which was appropriate. He was a person who often said, “what can I do for you” and rarely said can’t. After a brief retirement, he joined several of his former colleagues that started a new oven company, Heattek, and assisted them in becoming a leader in the can industry. He enjoyed being active in the can industry into his 80s.
His greatest joy was spending time with his granddaughters, family, and friends. He achieved a dream come true by attending all three of his granddaughters’ college graduations. He especially loved spending time with them vacationing at Gulfside Place on Sanibel Island in Florida. He enjoyed traveling the world for both business and pleasure with his wife and friends.
Frank liked to give back. He was a volunteer with Make a Wish and, more recently, with the Kiwanis Club, where he assisted with the wildly successful Crusin’ The Grove car show on August 6. In addition to his philanthropic endeavors, he was a member and volunteer at Saint John Vianney in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
He is survived by his children Aron Lorenz and wife Nancy, Lisa Capper and her husband John, along with his granddaughters Elizabeth Capper, Madison Lorenz and Catherine Capper, sister in-law Fern Pavek and nephews Steven Pavek (Sandy) and Dr. Dale Pavik (Kathy). Frank was preceded into heaven by his son Frank.
A memorial mass in memory of Frank Lorenz will be held on September 18, 2023, 11 AM at Saint John Vianney 1755 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI. Family visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to Make A Wish Wisconsin or a charity of your choice.