From the obituary. Another piece of history gone: Jack Lentz, 83, a lifelong resident of Middletown, died May 4, 2013 at home. He was born on September 19, 1929 and was the only son of John and Thelma Lentz. He graduated Middletown High School in 1948 and entered into the Auto Body business in June 1949. In 1951, Jack served in the U.S. Army and served tours in Korea and Japan as a radio operator. In 1954 he built his shop, Lentz Auto Body, on Main Street in Belford where he remained in business until he retired in 2010. Jack was very active in the Middletown community and served as a charter member of the Middletown Jaycees, a charter member, director and past president of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce; as well as serving on many township committees over the years. Jack also held several offices and was active in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Jack was well known for his love of antique auto restoration and was a regular at the antique auto shows where he won numerous trophies and awards. Among the most notable of Jack's vehicles were the 1932 Golden Rod Custom Roadster, a 1953 Studillac and the 1953 Studebaker he drove until his death. Jack was a longtime member of the Dream Machines Car Club and the Studebaker Car Club. His passion for quality workmanship also extended to many inventions which he created including the "Toweler" and fanciful lighted metal Christmas trees which covered his yard every year. He also invented a strobe light protector, a specialized ladder for fueling airplanes, a aviation radio clip, a yoke clipboard and a kneeboard used by many small plane pilots as Jack was also an avid instrument-rated pilot and plane owner for much of his life.
GoldenRod was one of the first hot rods I ever saw when I was a kid. It was beautifully done with good attention to detail, great proportions, and it perfectly exemplified "east coast style".
One of the first fifties era hot rods I fell hard for, November '61 Car Craft came into my hands as a teenager in the early seventies. RIP Jack...
Hey Al I knew Jack and remember The Goldenrod.He was also interested in flying and had his pilots licencese.
Mike, it's good to hear from you! Never knew you were acquainted with Jack. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, now I'm the poorer for missing out. I used to live a short ride from his shop and wish I'd known him. My bud Ray Cass used to work in his shop.
I live right around the corner from his former shop. Grew up in the Junction and continue to live there. Actually stopped in there a few years ago to get a quote on replacing quarters on a non-HAMB car. I've also heard of the GoldenRod... whether being referenced here or elsewhere. Not in a million years did I EVER put these two together. What a shame... I had no idea. RIP Mr. Lentz.
I joined so I could post a big thank you for all your posts. Jack Lentz is my grandfather. He truly was amazing and a big part of my life. I lost one of my heros this month. He was the most honest, fair man I ever met. If you ever have questions about him, I am more then willing to answer them.
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