In Loving Memory of
Colonel John Francis Lorentz, MD, MPH, U.S. Airforce (Retired)
Funeral Mass
Saint Gabriel Catholic Church
13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064
December 19, 2025
10:00 AM PT/ 11:00 AM MT
12:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM ET
Military Honors
Miramar National Cemetery
5795 Nobel Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
Note: There will be a pause in the livestream between the Church service and the cemetery. The livestream will resume below prior to the commencement of the military honors.
3:30 PM PT / 4:30 PM MT / 5:30 PM CT / 6:30 PM ET
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Colonel John Francis Lorentz Obituary
Colonel John Francis Lorentz, MD, MPH, U.S. Air Force (Retired), passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025 in San Diego at the age of 77.
John was born in 1948 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Dr. John Joseph Lorentz, MD, PhD, and Eleanor Frances Brandy. He grew up in New England, the eldest son among five children. He attended prep school at Hebron Academy in Maine and received bachelors degrees in Geography and Bioscience from University of New Hampshire. An adventurous and resourceful outdoorsman, he worked for the Maine Department of Fish and Game after college while pursuing graduate studies in marine biology. One of his duties was performing aerial drops of fish to repopulate the lakes, starting his lifelong fascination with aviation. John obtained his private pilot license with sea plane certification.
Following in his father’s footsteps, John ultimately pursued a career in medicine, starting by working as a dietician’s assistant, EMT, nurse’s aide, and R.N. In 1978 he moved to San Francisco for a nursing job, henceforth a Californian, and met his future wife Madeline Maier while working together on the hospital wards. For one of their first dates, John flew Madeline in his sea plane and accidentally landed in quicksand, from which they narrowly escaped. They married in 1982 while he was a medical student at University of South Carolina. Jack received his M.D. in 1985.
John’s military career spanned over thirty years. After college ROTC, he joined the Army Reserve in 1979, and upon completion of medical internship, was commissioned in the Air Force as an active duty Flight Surgeon, eventually promoted to the rank of Colonel. His military career included overseas humanitarian missions in Senegal and Morocco, and a medical project advising physicians in the Russian Far-East to promote US-Russia transnational cooperation. Stateside he served at the Pentagon as a medical consultant for the government’s response to 9/11 and the 2001 anthrax attacks.
After leaving active duty, John completed residency in Preventive Medicine, earning a Masters in Public Health, and practiced Occupational Medicine in San Diego for many years. He started OccuPoint, a successful private practice serving many hotels, construction projects, and the San Diego Transit. As clinical faculty at UCSD, he mentored UCSD medical students through preceptorship. In 2023, he retired from the VA Long Beach where he led the Compensation & Pension division for 11 years.
John was a generous, kind, and endlessly patient man, and his dry wit provoked a good laugh, while his comforting manner made you feel safe and secure.
We will keep John in our hearts remembering his exceptional qualities.
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One body-but many parts-that was the life of Jack Lorentz.
Those who knew Jack, knew he was a highly complex individual possessing remarkable intellect, emotional, and social virtues.
Jack had a compassionate, patient, caring heart. He listened intently and could hear the unspoken thoughts and concerns, pain and sorrow of another. His quick wit and keen sense of humor knew how to relieve and lift achy broken hearts and restore reassurance, calm and levity in the face of uncertainty.
On the night before Mr. Maier’s heart surgery, Mrs. Maier invited the family to the local restaurant for dinner. Jack always respectfully and with deference addressed his in-laws as Mr. and Mrs. until the birth of Will, and then, when their title and position was further elevated and honored, Jack then called them Grandma and Grandpa.
At the end of the evening, the people sitting behind us could be heard saying, “come on Melissa. It’s time to go. It’s time for you to get up off the floor and go home.”
Without a second thought or hesitation, Jack said, “and she is their designated driver.”
His quick wit, spontaneous sense of humor delivered in his quiet, matter-of-fact undertone brought an outburst of much needed laughter that broke the tension and lightened the mood helping to restore reassurance and calm nerves.
Jack’s career, his service, and his activities took him to 6 continents. His broad interests, diverse positions and jobs held developed understanding and insights that was a valuable asset to his entire being.
His openness to all people and new experiences, his mutual respect, and humble demeanor, and willingness to be in a service position and help others obscured the many distinguishable attributes and accomplishments of this man.
Jack lived an extensive, accomplished and a humble life of service to country, family, friends and the medical profession. Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Jack was a great man.
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Dr Lorentz was a dear friend to me, working together with him at the VTC where we would setup his, veteran’s appointments, Dr Lorentz helped me greatly, by being a great example of a professional , and a creation of God. Dr Lorentz helped so many people , he made the world a better place for so many, I will always remember him, peace and love to the Lorentz family, to God be the glory 🙏
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I met John at a fellowship meeting in Long Beach and I volunteered at the VA. As I was in the Air Force medical corps, we had a common bond and it turned out I was stationed with a physician that John had worked with. John and I had many conversations and laughs together. I miss him and pray that he is resting comfortably in the palm of God.
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Dr Lorentz was a man of exceptional character, and truly a steadfast friend. I deeply regret that I was unable to visit him in person during his final year, and while I cherish our regular phone conversations, nothing could quite replace the warmth of his presence. Our shared experiences across different branches of military service formed a unique bond, and I will always hold those memories close. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family and all who loved him.
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Thanks John, for your service. You were very a special friend to me. I met you at the VA when I’d bring you your mail from the mail room. We’d always have such interesting talks. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be where I am today. You will be missed by me and all our friends in the fellowship. I love you man! David Stableford.
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Dr. Lorentz was a wonderful man and I loved working with him in Primary Care. I will miss him.