Alfred J. Lanze

Rochester, June 21, 2020. Al was predeceased by parents John A. and Agnes B. Lanze and by younger sister Carol Lanze.

Al is survived by brothers Mark of Buffalo, John (Margit) of Charlotte NC, James (Rossel) of Pittsford, several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Al attended the Cantara St. School in Reseda, CA, Martin B. Anderson School #1 in Rochester NY, Monroe High School and the University of Rochester. Along the way, Al had many academic awards and accomplishments, including: the Major Achievement Program; High School Honors Program; Regents Scholarship winner; National Honor Society member; winner of Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute Award for Math and Science; and winner of New York State German Language Award.

Upon completion of his studies at the University of Rochester, Al was drafted into the Army. Upon recognizing Al's tremendous language abilities, Al learned Vietnamese and was utilized in Army intelligence in Long Binh, Viet Nam. Al returned to Rochester, from Viet Nam and was trained in lithography; he worked in the lithography/printing field for several years, before settling into a job with the United States Postal Service from which he retired in 2016.

Al had many interests and avocations throughout life. Al enjoyed performing chemistry experiments in his basement chemistry lab as a youth. He was a lifetime member of the United States Chess Federation, and played in many chess tournaments, and was a member of the Rochester Chess Club, particularly in his youth; more recently he was a member of the Rochester Chess Center. Al was an expert in the field of Antiques and Collectibles, and enjoyed both buying and selling such items. Other hobbies included Metal detecting, Bowling, and most recently Geocaching. For the last 39 years, Al performed his responsibilities as the patriarch of the Lanze family.