Paul Lenhart, age 94, beloved husband, father, Opa and great- Opa passed away peacefully on July 16th, 2016 surrounded by family. Dad was born in Torza, Yugoslavia on March 21, 1922, the youngest child of Ludwig and Elisabeth Lenhart. He described his childhood as idyllic, growing up in a small farming community and cultivating close friendships which lasted a lifetime. He had a gift for languages, which his father encouraged. During his childhood he became fluent in many languages and he continued to enjoy learning about various cultures throughout his life.
Dad's peaceful childhood was shattered with the onset of WWII when he was forced into military service, working mainly as an interpreter of German, Russian, French and Serbo-Croatian. After the war, he escaped into Hungary while being shipped to a Russian POW camp and survived for a year due to his Hungarian language skills. Following a series of miraculous events, he was finally joyfully reunited on an Easter morning with his parents, who had escaped communism and started a new life in Austria. Dad worked for the American military in Salzburg for nine years. It was during this time that he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and met his future wife, Liselotte. They started a new life together in Canada, were married on May 6, 1957 in Toronto and were sealed in the Cardston Alberta Temple the following month. Five children followed, as Mom and Dad moved from Canada back to Austria and eventually settled in the United States.
Dad was a strong believer in education. After immigrating to Salt Lake City, he began studying Russian and German as a 43 year-old freshmen at the University of Utah and upon completion of his studies started his career at age 50 as a language professor at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. After 17 years, he and Mom retired to Utah in order to be closer to family.
Dad had a deep testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served faithfully in many callings throughout his life, his favorite being Gospel Doctrine Teacher. He loved his family and encouraged his children and grandchildren to learn continually, to be kind and compassionate and to serve others. He had the gift of making friends where ever he went and was known for his never-ending optimism, his hard work and his amazing life stories. He often commented on how fortunate he was to have had such a wonderful life, filled with the love of family and friends.
Dad is survived by his children Michael (Laura) Lenhart, Lilly (Steve) Pierson, Peter (Sharon) Lenhart, Paul (Marie-Suzanne) Lenhart and Thomas Lenhart; 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren with another soon to arrive, as well as loving extended family. Preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and his beloved Liesl, with whom he is now enjoying a joyful reunion.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Orchard Park Ward Chapel located at 7035 Nutree Drive in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. A family greeting will precede the service from 10:00 - 10:45. Interment to follow services at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Charleston at Cedar Hills and OneCare Hospice for their loving care of our Dad. He continually expressed how grateful he was for your kindness and love during this last year of his life. A special thank you to his friend Friedl from the Charleston, who visited him every day with a treat and kind words.
We will miss you Dad and Opa, but are comforted to know that you are with your sweet wife, parents and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting larkinmortuary.com.
