Confronting Pancreatic Cancer

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Confronting Pancreatic Cancer

Gary L. Lorenzen '76This site is dedicated in loving memory to Gary Lorenzen


After a nearly nine-month struggle against metastatic pancreatic cancer, my 45 year-old brother passed away.

A 1976 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Gary returned there to fly and to teach navigation and physics after receiving his Masters degree in physics at MIT. In 1995, he took command of the 17th Training Support Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base. His unit received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and contributed to the 17th Training Wing recognition as the best wing in the Air Force. On August 1, 1999 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was a warrior to the end. Gary had attained the rank of Colonel. At his funeral ceremony, after presentation of the Legion of Merit and medals to his family, he was honored by the Air Force with the missing-man formation jet fly-by and a military gun salute.

Gary is survived by his wife Deborah and two sons Grant and Wes. Gary is loved (and missed) by his parents, family, friends and colleagues. His strength, faith and grace were infectious, and have become a part of our lives.

In one of the three eulogies given at the memorial service, the following poem was read:

 Goodbye  

A sickly man, my uncle
I said goodbye sincerely for I might not
Say hello to him again
With a brave face he will battle the enemy
And the enemy will win.
    -Nathan Lorenzen (12)

 

 

This web page, as it grows over time, shall stand as a memorial to Gary Lorenzen and to all such other valiant souls who have engaged combat with pancreatic cancer. The extended family who support this page labor diligently so that one day this common enemy will be defeated.

Lee Lorenzen

 

   
   
 


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