Andrew E. “Andy” Lorentz, age 82, of Salem, WI, died at his home surrounded by family August 2, 2024, following a two-year battle with cancer. Andy was a handyman by trade, able to fix just about anything, and he had a strong sense of community, exemplified by his service as a set-builder for the Westosha Central High School drama department. He first became involved with this work when his children started acting in plays at the high school in 1989, and he continued to build sets for the program for the next 25 years, long after the youngest of his eight kids had graduated from high school. In the process, he became a teacher, mentor, friend, and often, a second dad to hundreds of Central High students who remember him for his smile, his patience, and for the life skills that they learned from him. He taught a love of both the arts and the building trades, and he set an example for creating careful, disciplined, and fun spaces where students felt a sense of safety, belonging, and purpose. Some notes from former students: "He taught me so much and gave me so many skills that I have been able to pass on to my kids. I will always think of him when I bust out my tools and fix something or build something." "Andy was the set designer, builder, painter, and everything else you could think of. He was an incredibly kind person to me and everyone he encountered. He had more energy and drive than people 1/4 his age. He always told the best stories, the funniest jokes, and built the best sets. Everything he did was with that big Andy smile on his face. He was always willing to take the time to teach anyone who had a desire to learn, how to do the things he did. He never turned a single person away who asked for his help, and he always made sure you felt welcomed and appreciated." "I remember being so grateful and thankful that he was there during productions for stage crew. Teaching us how to build and whatever else came along! " The Lorentz family would like to preserve and continue Andy's legacy with a fund to benefit the Westosha Central High School Theater Department, to celebrate and encourage both the fine arts and the building trades.
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