Lowell Enoch Renz, M.D., 75
Lowell E. Renz, M.D., born on Jan. 18, 1938, died at home in Post Falls on May 27, 2013, at the age of 75. He demonstrated to his family, friends and caregivers that God was his strength and his desire was to keep the faith until God called him home. He finished well.
Lowell was born to Edward and Elizabeth Renz, spent his childhood on the family farm in Riley, Kan., graduating valedictorian from RHS. He excelled in track in the Javelin and Disc events. In 1960 he graduated from Kansas State and in 1964 from the University of Kansas Medical School. The same year he married Virginia, his wife of 49 years.
Following internship and three years of residency, he spent two years in military service at David Grant Hospital on Travis AFB as the pulmonary specialist. Upon discharge he returned to KUMC for a Fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine. During this time, he was responsible for originating trans-nasal insertion of the fiber optic bronchoscope. In 1972 he brought this technique to Sacramento where he entered private practice until retirement in 2004. He was board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine.
He held a 14-year academic appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at UCD. He was president of the California Thoracic Society and president of the California College of Chest Physicians followed by three years as the Executive Director of the CCCP. He held membership in the Christian Medical Dental Association (CMDA) for many years. During his later years of practice, Lowell served several skilled nursing facilities as their medical director.
He was a kind physician and well respected by nursing staff as well as his patients. As an active member of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church he served as an elder in missions and sang in the choir. In retirement, he and his wife moved to North Idaho. They served in missions at Real Life Ministries (RLM) and made mission trips to Africa and Iraq. He joined the Northwest Sacred Music Chorale in 2005 and at the time of death had just completed a three-year term as Chairman of the Board. Lowell participated in Bible Study Fellowship beginning in 2004 and was in leadership at the time his illness progressed.
Lowell is survived by his wife, Virginia; his brother, Richard Renz; his three daughters, their husbands and 10 grandchildren. The daughters are Cathy and David Hillman, Linda and Paul Schroeder of Post Falls and Karen and Sean Frisby of Tucson, Ariz.
Son-in-law Pastor Paul Schroeder will conduct a memorial service of celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2013, at RLM, followed by a lunch reception. Besides his Chorale, Lowell loved and was active in his grandchildren’s school. Therefore in lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations be made to the Scholarship Fund at Genesis Prep Christian Academy, P.O. Box 1237, Post Falls, ID 83877; The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale at www.nwsmc.org; or an organization of your choice. A guest registry is available at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.