Richard Henry Lorensen, 60, died of brain cancer on Monday, April 21, 2014, at his home in Hilton Head, SC.
Rick was the son of the late Willard and JoAnn Lorensen of Morgantown, WV.
Rick grew up in Morgantown and attended public schools. After serving in the U.S. Army, he received undergraduate and law degrees from West Virginia University. He worked as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Charles H. Haden II before entering into private law practice. Rick served as Greenbrier County prosecuting attorney for 10 years before working as chief public defender in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties for another decade. He retired as the director of West Virginia public defender services’ appellate division in Charleston, WV.
Rick enjoyed distance running and adventurous bicycle trips across the United States and Nova Scotia. He loved learning languages and extensive travels. He was a loving husband, father, and brother, known for his sweet, simple, respectful, and spiritual qualities.
He is survived by his wife, Alejandra Villada Lorensen of Hilton Head; daughter, Annie Ashby Lorensen of Lewisburg, WV; a sister, Linda Bierkamper of Morgantown; two brothers, Judge Michael D. Lorensen of Martinsburg, WV, and Charlie Lorensen of Charleston; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A gathering and memorial service will be held in celebration of Rick’s life at 11 AM on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Fairlea, located at 9232 Seneca Trail, Ronceverte, WV. A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony.
Memorial donations should be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Information submitted by Low Country Cremation Society, Reidsville, GA.
Obituary originally published in the May 5, 2014, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
