Joel B. Lench, MD, Capt. (Ret) USN, 80, died peacefully on Feb. 19, 2021, at Belmont Village Senior Living in Cardiff by the Sea, CA from terminal Alzheimer's disease.

 Born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 9, 1940, Dr. Lench grew up in Beaver Falls, PA. Dr. Lench was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and Morris Lench. He is survived by his brother Ronald G. Lench, Harrisburg, PA; two nieces, Jennifer Lench, Harrisburg, PA and Myra (Matthew) Gallardo, Enola, PA; 1 grand-niece and 4 grand-nephews and by his partner in love, Carla Brown, San Diego, CA.

After receiving his BA degree from The Johns Hopkins University and his MD from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Lench joined the Navy where he served as a flight surgeon aboard the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier that saw combat during the Vietnam War. Remaining in the Navy, he then received training leading to Board Certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and served in many duty stations around the world, rising to the rank of Captain. Dr. Lench received numerous military citations and decorations including the Air Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal among many others. Dr. Lench was very proud of being in the Navy and his twenty years of service to his country.

After retiring from the Navy, Dr. Lench became the Medical Director of the Nurse Midwifery Service, Naval Medical Center, San Diego and also worked as a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter Medical Clinic in San Diego.

Dr. Lench had a gift for friendship, making many devoted and loving friends from all walks of life around the world. He was a wonderful storyteller who loved to tell of travels and events, often using slideshows to add life to his tales. He was a devoted amateur photographer, especially loving to take award-winning pictures of children. He loved to travel with his family and friends; friends came from far and wide to be with Dr. Lench. Everyone loved being in his warm, optimistic and loving company, full of great humor and camaraderie. Dr. Lench was proud of his Jewish heritage which expressed itself in many ways including support of charitable organizations and travels to Israel, but not the least of which was a life-long devotion to seeking out the best Jewish delis in the land.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood; the Alzheimer's Association http://act.alz.org/goto/CaptainJoelLench or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in Dr. Lench's memory.