Leon Howard Lorentzen

Leon Howard Lorentzen passed away quickly from coronary failure on April 30, 2011 after a long and courageous fight with lung disease. He was born to Ada (Roberts) and Leslie Lorentzen on June 4, 1933 in Eagle Grove, Iowa. From 19511954, Leon served proudly as a United States Marine, fighting in the in the Korean War as a tank gunner from 1952-1953. From 1955-1970, Leon had a distinguished career in the U.S. Border Patrol, serving in Eagle Pass, TX; Sierra Blanca, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Niagara Falls, NY; Jackman, ME. From 1961-1962, Leon served as an Immigrant Inspector in Detroit, MI. In 1962, Leon returned to the U.S. Border Patrol, assigned to Yuma, AZ and, then, served from 1967 to 1970, as the U.S. Border Patrol Senior Patrol Inspector in Charge of the Station, Blythe, CA. In 1970, Leon was then hired by the U. S. Customs Service and served as a Special Agent/Criminal Investigator. He worked at Ports of Entry, Tecate, CA; San Ysidro, CA, and retired from his position as the U.S. Customs Attache/ Mexico City (1979-1984), culminating his long and distinguished career of 30 years as a federal law enforcement officer.
In 1989, Leon completed his Bachelor of Arts degree/Anthropology, University of Arizona (Summa cum Laude). In 1993, Leon completed his Master of Arts degree/Anthropology, University of Arizona. While his archaeological specialty was Paleo-Indian, Southwest, Leon participated in excavations in La Quina, France (Neanderthal) (1992-1994) and Guatemala (Mesoamerica) in 2005. Because of Leons many talents and skills as an archaeologist he often served as an adjunct professor/university staff member, supervising, lecturing and teaching at a various Southwestern universities (UT, NM, WY, AZ) archeology field schools. Due to his broad skills as an outdoorsman, Leon often served as camp manager at these sites. More recently (2000 to 2011), Leon worked as the Adjunct Archaeologist, Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, AZ, teaching, lecturing, cataloging artifacts and preparing exhibits.
A true Renaissance man, Leon enjoyed hunting, gunsmithing, woodworking, jewelry making, gardening and learning languages. He was also an active member of his church community. Leon will be missed for his courage; integrity and his loyalty to his many friends. He had a deep love for his family and profound love of his country.
Leon is survived by his devoted wife, Anne Gordon-Lorentzen; his son, Lane Lorentzen and his wife, Patricia; his daughter, Linda-Lorentzen-Kabrel and grandsons Robert and Matthew Kabrel. Services will be held at the American Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) on Monday, May 23, 2011, at 10 A.M. with luncheon to follow at AELC Friendship Hall. Following services/luncheon, internment will occur at the Prescott National Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of choice or the Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, AZ.