Eugene Kendall Lorenz

Who managed an accounting practice, Lorenz & Lorenz for over 40 years, and contributed to the development of downtown Bethesda, Maryland died January 30, 2025 at home after a brief illness. He was 92 years old. No funeral services are planned. Mr. Lorenz was the son and grandson of accountants and also served on several Boards of Directors including the Howard P. Foley Co., Columbia First Federal Savings & Loan and Phillips Publishing International, Inc. He served as Treasurer of the Washington Building Congress. He enjoyed several social and charitable organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Washington, DC, the Temple-Noyes-Cathedral Lodge (Masons), Shriners International, and the Jesters. Mr. Lorenz's entrepreneurial spirit led to success in commercial real estate. After researching plans for the development of a metro station in downtown Bethesda, Mr. Lorenz purchased the modest 3-story Edgemoor Building at 4801 Montgomery Lane. During the late 1970's and early 1980's, Mr. Lorenz purchased several adjacent properties and later entered a partnership with Clark Enterprises, Inc., The Oliver Carr Co., Steuart Investment Co., and W.C. & A.N. Miller Development Co. to develop a 16-story office tower at 2 Bethesda Metro Center to be named the Lorenz Building. The partnership ultimately sold the land and development rights to the Chevy Chase Land Company which renamed the building. The distinctive tri-vaulted crown adds to the Bethesda skyline and was conceived by the architectural firm Keyes Condon Florance under Mr. Lorenz's direction. Mr. Lorenz was born in Washington, DC and grew up on Livingston St. in Chevy Chase, MD. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the ROTC and was promoted to Captain in the Army Reserves. Mr. Lorenz is remembered as hard working, self reliant and generous. He felt that he "got along fine" with most everyone, enjoyed tropical weather and considered himself lucky. His accomplishments illustrate that over the course of his life, he made his own luck. Mr. Lorenz is survived by his wife of 66 years, JoEllen Thompson Lorenz; daughter Janelle Lorenz Wright, son-in-law Jay Wright; and grandchildren Corinne Wright and Theodore Wright - all of Potomac, MD. He was predeceased by son Eugene Kendall Lorenz, Jr. in 2013. Even at age 92, Mr. Lorenz remained self-possessed and affable. He died with dignity after a happy and productive life.