Ralph Lenz's Obituary
Ralph C. Lenz, age 92, a resident of Warren County since 1979, died April 22, 2012. Prior to 1979, he was a Xenia resident for 25 years. Born in Beatrice, Nebr. on Oct. 27, 1919, to Ralph and Lois (Sutliff) Lenz.
Mr. Lenz, an aeronautical engineer, graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1943 and received a masters degree from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in 1959.
He was author of an internationally translated book that coined the term, “Technological Forecasting”. He was a founding co-editor of the Technological Forecasting Journal. In 1974, Mr. Lenz retired from his position as Assistant Deputy for Development Planning, Aeronautical Systems Division, WPAFB. In the late 70’s and during the 80’s , he was an international consultant for Technology Futures Inc., Austin, Texas, and a research associate with the University of Dayton Research Institute. Mr. Lenz worked on the U.S.A.F.’s first experimental aircraft ejection seat, following service in the Army. He was one of the few people who witnessed an atomic bomb explosion from an aerial position above the blast. A member of the Waynesville United Methodist Church, the Free Masons-Xenia, the Scottish Rite-Dayton, the Dayton Engineers Club, American Legion-Waynesville, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen (Stone) Lenz., daughters (and sons-in-law), Lois (Robert) Lyle, Linda (James) Bricker and a sister, Rachel Harder. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ryan Lyle and Julie (Bricker) DiIulio and great-grandchildren, Reese and Marcus, as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Miriam Berryman. Memorial services will be scheduled for a later date. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home, Waynesville is serving the family. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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