Prospect Heights man remembered for passion for writing

Charles "Chuck" Lorenz had a passion for writing, working early in his career as a reporter and later as a communications and public affairs director. Yet, when his son approached him about following his passion for film to Hollywood, he hesitated.

"He was concerned when I announced my plan to go into the film business all those years ago," said his son, Robert, "but he became my biggest fan."

Charles Lorenz of Prospect Heights died Monday. He was 81.

His son, Robert Lorenz, who packed up his car and drove to Hollywood after graduating from the University of Iowa with a film degree, has been nominated for several Academy Awards, including three for best picture: "Mystic River" in 2003, "Letters From Iwo Jima" in 2006 and "American Sniper" in 2014.

Robert Lorenz worked his way up in the film business, just as his father had done in journalism.

Charles Lorenz majored in English at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and started his career as a reporter and later as an editor for several Pioneer Press editions near Oak Park.

He eventually left journalism for public relations and worked 28 years as a communications officer with the National Association of Independent Insurers. Lorenz retired in 1990 as senior vice president of public affairs before starting his own consulting company.

"My dad was proud of his career in PR, but he often spoke fondly of his days as a newspaper reporter and editor," Robert Lorenz said. "He was proud to have scored an interview with the poet Robert Frost while he was in Iowa.

"My dad loved to write," his son added, "and he would occasionally turn up in the letters-to-the-editor of the Daily Herald and the Chicago Tribune."

In retirement, Charles Lorenz played in men's golf leagues at Rob Roy Golf Course in Prospect Heights and Arlington Lakes Golf Club.

One of his daughters, Mary Beth Bowman of Barrington, carries on his love of recreational sports by encouraging area residents to stay active. She serves as executive director of the Barrington Area Tennis Association, which programs clinics, lessons and tournaments for residents of all ages.

Last year, she began offering a local chapter of Buddy Up Tennis at Heritage Tennis Club in Arlington Heights. The monthly clinics team up volunteers with children and young adults with Down syndrome learning the sport of tennis.

Besides his son and daughter, Charles Lorenz is survived by his wife, Karen, daughter Mary Claire (Mark) Sopchyk of Cary, stepdaughter Heidi Hunt of Chicago, and six grandchildren.

A funeral Mass is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Alphonsus Church, 411 N. Wheeling Road in Prospect Heights.