Eric Lenz

I had worked with Eric when we were both in the Linear Clean Group. He is one of those rare individuals who you can have an interesting discussion on just about any topic. He is very insightful and always willing to help. Although Eric may be difficult to convince at times, working with him had pushed me to look at the problems we are trying to solve from different angles. He will be missed.

I regret that I only learned of Eric’s passing yesterday. I too, Met Eric at Lam Research, in the fall of 1987. He was both a colleague, and a mentor, and a great, positive, cheerful guy to work with. But my remembrances aren’t going to be about Eric the Engineer so much, as Eric the Man. In the Beginning, we worked on some overlapping projects, at that time, straight out of the Navy, I was mainly Engineering Support. Lam had a hair over 300 headcount when I joined. Everyone knew everyone. Groups were small, roles fairly narrow. I remember Eric was ALWAYS, friendly, curious, upbeat, eager to lend a hand or explain something, offer a suggestion, tell a story which would make you smile, and all with a genuine smile on his face. At lunch, at a meeting, at a design review. I never once saw him unkind, egotistical, defensive, or “above” anyone else ( which can happen in a fast paced, rapidly growing, Engineering environment. Coming out of a testosterone filled, male only, competitive, stressful, Submarine Navy community, I was not used to such a friendly guy / comrade. If you knew Eric, you liked Eric. It was really impossible not to. He was, simply, a really great guy. And a friend to many and all. I know he is dearly missed by family and close friends. The world is a lesser place without Eric the Person, and Eric the Engineer. I’m sorry to learn of his passing, too young, and too soon.

Eric was the Big Kid I looked up
To the most growing up on
El Camino Real!
Rest In Peace, Eric!