Robert ‘Bob’ Lorenz

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Robert “Bob” Lorenz, of Bonita Springs, passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at age 95, after a period of declining health.

Born March 19, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, Bob was the son of Ray and Ella Lorenz. He married the former Marie Wylie on May 19, 1956, who predeceased him April 1, 1994. He later married Maureen Tanous Ek June 3, 1995, who survives.

Bob graduated from Lincoln High School in Cleveland in 1947 and later Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio in 1951, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

After a stint in the U.S. Army, Bob relocated to New Kensington, Pa. and began his professional career with ALCOA in October, 1954. He was later transferred to Alcas Cutlery Corporation (now Cutco Corporation) in Olean, N.Y. in March 1972, where he retired in January 1993 as one of the owners of Cutco, which had become a privately owned company in September 1982.

Bob’s Christian faith was the cornerstone of his life, having been a believer in Jesus Christ from an early age. A member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, his life was dedicated to spreading the Word of God and helping others.

An enthusiastic proponent of volunteerism, Bob belonged to several civic organizations, including the Rotary Club and Salvation Army, and had served on the boards of many groups. He was also instrumental in starting the Marie Lorenz Dialysis Center in Olean, which opened in June 1997, and the Bonita Senior Center in Bonita Springs.

Besides his wife Maureen, Bob is survived by a daughter, Amy (Pieter) Van de Graaf of Chesapeake, Va.; and a son, Jack, of Bonita Springs; along with two step-daughters, Ann Kroll of Las Vegas, Nev. and Kim (Jeff) Thompson of Raleigh, N.C.; and a step-son, Lance Ek, of Olean. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

In addition to his first wife, Bob was also predeceased by his parents; a sister, Marion Kurfis; and a grandson, Aaron Van de Graaf.

A memorial service commemorating Bob’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday (Jan. 19, 2026) at the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs. He will be buried at the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Portville, N.Y.

Memorials can be made to the following organizations: the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs; the Bonita Senior Center; and the Café of Life in Bonita Springs.

To Sign his guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, family owned and operated since 1978.