Michael Frank Wenz

1953 - 2023

Michael Frank Wenz, Jr., 69, of Alexandria, VA passed away June 27, 2023. Born on December 9, 1953, Mike was the only child of Frank and Theo Lambert Wenz. He attended the University of Virginia (UVA) and was an avid UVA sports fan. Mike held UVA season basketball tickets since he graduated and was present in 1976 when Virginia won its first ACC conference basketball championship. He was also in Minneapolis when UVA won the 2019 men's basketball national championship. He loved his UVA Cavaliers. Mike graduated from UVA in 1977, with undergraduate degrees in Nuclear Engineering and Applied Mathematics, and a master's degree in Nuclear Engineering. He began his employment with the U.S. Navy in Washington, DC where he was assigned to Naval Reactors, overseeing the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion Program. He began his career focusing on construction and refueling of LOS ANGELES Class submarines and the carrier USS ENTERPRISE. In 1979, Mike attended the Bettis Reactor Engineering School and was the first engineer selected for a new junior field assistant rotation to the Naval Reactors Office at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1984. In 1987, Mike returned to headquarters where he worked until retirement in 2012 receiving the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Silver Medal recognizing his substantial contributions to the NNSA mission. He was also awarded the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal honoring his leadership and contributions to technological improvements on behalf of the U.S. Navy. Mike was also an accomplished pilot and held Commercial and Flight Instructor certificates for single and multiengine land and sea planes. Mike was proceeded in death by his parents, Frank Wenz and Theo Lambert Wenz. He is survived by two aunts, Eva May Lambert, and Linda K. Lambert both of Harrisville, WV, and many cousins. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, on October 24, 2024, at 10 a.m. Arrangements are being provided by Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home & Crematory.