April 3, 2006

Retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Heinz Walter Lenz, 80, a resident of Annapolis for 50 years, died March 27 at Sunrise Assisted Living of Severna Park. He had Parkinson's disease.

The son of the late Amalie and Frederick Walter Lenz, Lt. Cmdr. Lenz was born March 31, 1925, in Berlin, Germany, and came to the United States when he was age 15. He served in the Navy in World War II as an enlisted sailor and landed at Normandy in France on D-Day Plus 2. He joined the Naval Reserve and retired as a lieutenant commander.

He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts degree in modern languages in 1948 and earned a master of arts degree in physical education in 1949 at Columbia University.

He taught at St. Mark's College, a preparatory school in Dallas, Texas, before joining the faculty at the Naval Academy in 1957. In 1968, as a member of the physical education department, "Coach" Lenz developed "PEP," a daily exercise program for the incoming class of plebes. He continued to lead "PEP" until 1992 and retired from the academy in 1994.

He co-authored a book, "Fit for Life: The Annapolis Way." In 1992 he was selected as one of the nation's 10 Healthy American Fitness Leaders by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Lt. Cmdr. Lenz was a member of Colonial Players of Annapolis for a number of years and served on the board of directors. He was active with the Maryland Senior Olympics as a commission member. His interests included travel, theater and sports.

Surviving are his wife, Bette Lenz, whom he married in 1973; one daughter, Mali Bunce of Arvada, Colo.; three sons, Alan Lenz of Vista, Calif., Mark LaBuda of Edgewater and Steve LaBuda of Laurel; and seven grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Steven G. Lenz.

Private services were held. Arrangements are by Kalas Funeral Home in Edgewater. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.