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AMHERST - Robert (Bob) Lenz, one of the founding members of the Polymer Science and Engineering Program at the University of Massachusetts, died Friday.

Born in 1926 in New York City, he served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He received an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Lehigh University in 1949, a master's degree from the Institute of Textile Technology at the University of Virginia in 1951, and Ph.D degrees from both the State University of New York College of Forestry and Syracuse University in 1956.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Paris in 2001. In 1966 he became a faculty member of the University of Massachusetts and served as one of the four founding members of the Polymer Science and Engineering Program. He held faculty positions in the Chemical Engineering Department and the Polymer Science Engineering Department, and was adjunct professor in the Chemistry Department before retiring in 1995.

Robert received many national and international awards for his contributions to education and research in the field of polymer chemistry at University of Massachusetts.

From 1986 to 1991 he was a member of the Board of Directors of a national organization dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of destructive cults, the Cult Awareness Network. He was also an active member of the Amherst Rotary Club.

Robert was a very loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be tremendously missed by his family and friends. He was kind and thoughtful, with a brilliant mind and wonderful sense of humor.

Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Madeleine of Amherst, and his children, Kathy Cunningham (and husband Doyle) of Louisville, Ky., Douglas Lenz (and wife Karin) of Buffalo, N.Y., Cindy Goodman (and husband Peter) of Columbia, Mo., and Suzanne Lenz (and husband Jack Torres) of Stratham, N.H., seven grandchildren - Amanda, Jonathan, Jenna, Gregory, Madeleine, Rosemarie and Elliot - one great-grandchild, Vincent, and one brother, Henry Lenz of Glens Falls, N.Y.

A Memorial Mass will be Wednesday, July 7, at 10 a.m. in St. Brigid's Church, Amherst, with Fr. John Smegal officiating. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A private family burial will be in St. Brigid's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital c/o Georgia Moore, 30 Locust Street, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329. Obituary and register at www.douglassfuneral.com.