Richard Wayne Lorenz, 80

Richard Wayne Lorenz, 80
Richard Wayne “Rich” Lorenz, age 80, of Spencer, Indiana passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington, Indiana with his wife and family at his side.
Rich was born on July 7, 1946, in Shelbyville, Indiana to Helen (nee Fleming) and George Lorenz. He loved music and participated in band at Shelbyville High School and was involved in solo vocal competitions around the state.  As a young man he was mentored and supported by a beloved Aunt, Dr. Phyllis J. Fleming of Wellesley, Massachusetts. Aunt Phyllis fostered in Rich a love of science and helped finance his way to The University of Notre Dame where he majored in Chemistry.
Richard met his future wife Nancy at a summer school class in Indianapolis when he borrowed a pencil from her.  Nancy was an undergrad at Indiana University in Bloomington and for the next three years, until his graduation in 1968, Nancy and Richard took the bus back and forth to visit each other.  
In 1968 Richard enrolled in a graduate program at Indiana University. He took a leave from the program to enlist in the US Air Force and was sent to Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. At the end of his active duty, he joined the reserves at Grissom Air Force Base in Kokomo, Indiana. As logistics officer, he led his unit for many years to summer camp in Wisconsin and then one year to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. A highlight for him was transporting and billeting his unit to Aviano, Italy where his unit participated in joint operations with the Italian Air Force. He retired from the reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1994 after 27 years reserve duty.
After Richard returned from Lackland Air Force Base, he and Nancy married on August 23, 1969 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Richard and Nancy had a good life together.
They had very different personalities, but they used that difference to their advantage. They thoroughly discussed everything they did together and made decisions based on mutual respect and understanding. They proofread each other’s work. Richard and Nancy were true partners in life. They would have been married for 57 years this month.
After the wedding, Richard and Nancy lived on campus at IU Bloomington where Nancy worked and supported their family while Richard completed his Master of Business Administration and law degrees. He completed his law degree in 1973 and took his first job as Deputy Prosecutor of Owen County under Vern Petri.  This job required the young couple to live in Spencer where they bought a house on Hillcrest Drive and where Richard and Nancy lived happily for over 50 years.
Richard left the prosecutor’s office and started his own firm and eventually was invited to join the law firm of Hickam and Hickam, the oldest family law firm in Indiana.  Rich was the first non-family member to be invited into the practice which was a great honor for him.  Now the firm is called Hickam and Lorenz, and he practiced there for over 50 years right up until his passing. Of special note are his relationships with his law partners John McKay, Jack Woodruff, Tom Spencer and Maryann Williams.  He worked with them for over 30 years, and they have been true friends to Nancy and him.
Richard was a general practitioner who specialized in bankruptcy and corporate law. His life’s work was advising people and helping them with legal matters. He loved his job so much he never retired and was on the phone with a client two days before he died.
He was the town of Spencer’s attorney also until he passed.  His greatest pride and joy was advising the town government. He loved working with the council and helping elected officials and community stake holders work together to meet the needs of the growing and changing population.  He enjoyed supporting community groups like Owen County Community Foundation, Area 10 Agency on Aging, and Boys and Girls Club.
Rich loved technology. He was always the first one to adopt a new gadget or electronic device. He loved IU basketball, Notre Dame Football, and the Notre Dame Marching Band. Most of all he loved doing things with Nancy and he supported her in her work with IU students. Richard helped Nancy host pool parties and welcome events for students and staff at their home. For many years they led an annual trip to New York City for students, and he had very fond memories of helping lead a Spencer Girl Scout Troop early in his time in Owen County.
Later in life Richard loved attending The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Marching band reunions. Rich and Nancy also traveled all over Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and various US and Canadian ports of call by ship.  Richard appreciated crossing into the Arctic Circle from Greenland and especially loved going to Russia which they visited three times.
Nancy and Richard never had children of their own but had many loving nieces and nephews who were a great joy to them. They took them to drive-ins, parades, Indy 500 race parties, neighborhood fireworks, and many family celebrations. They loved watching movies and eating sliced apples during special evenings with their siblings’ children.
Richard is survived by his wife Nancy (McKay) Lorenz, brother Robert “Bob” (Gloria) Lorenz, brother-in-law John (Sandra) McKay, sisters-in-law Carol (Nolyn) Taylor, and Barbara (the late David) White.  Nieces and Nephews Brian Lorenz, Kandice (Allan) McBride, Andy (Bri) Strouse, Jocelyn (Patrick) Barone, Jennifer Fiocca, Gavin (Jenn)Taylor, Seth (Deonna)Taylor, Brooke (Chad) McDonald, Adam White, and numerous great nieces and great nephews. Richard was predeceased by his parents, his Aunt Phyllis, and nephew, Jason Lorenz.
Richard’s graveside service will take place on Friday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm at Chambersville Cemetery in Spencer, Ind. The next day, in the spirit of Richard’s affinity for fall football weekends, please join the family in a Celebration of Life which will be held at a time and location to be announced.  If you have one, wear your favorite football jersey. Tailgate food will be served.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Owen County Community Foundation, Area 10 Agency on Aging, Boys and Girls Club of Owen County, The Nancy McKay Lorenz and Richard W. Lorenz Scholarship Fund at IU, or the University of Notre Dame Marching or Jazz Bands.

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