Obituary for Lance B Landgraf Sr.
Lance B. Landgraf, Sr., 85 died peacefully with his son Lance, Jr., daughter Jennifer and his partner, Susan, in Fort Myers Florida on January 24, 2024, after a brief illness. Lance Sr. was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on August 17, 1938. He is survived by his son Lance B. Landgraf, Jr (Katherine), his daughter Jennifer Landgraf Gallagher (Michael), his granddaughters Allyson Amalfitano (Nicholas) and Kelsey Landgraf, his grandson Evan Landgraf and great grandson Gabriel Amalfatano. He is also survived by his partner Susan Smith and his Sister Delores McCann. Lance Sr. was predeceased by his wife Anna May Landgraf, his sister Lovell Lee Landgraf and his parents, Samuel and Florence Landgraf.
Lance Sr. grew up playing schoolyard and high school basketball in Southwest Philadelphia. After attending Bartram HS, Lance received a scholarship to play basketball for Philadelphia Textile. He and childhood friend Bob Malmgren along with rest of the 1958 Textile Hall of Fame team to the NIT Basketball tournament. Then known as the Textile “Weavers”, the team was led by Coach Bucky Harris, who drew on the local school yards and playgrounds in Philadelphia to make up his gritty and disciplined team. One of the more notable players of this era and eventual coach of the Textile team, Herb McGee joined the team in 1960. As the point guard on the team, Lance racked up tons of assists passing the ball to Herb. These team members have remained close and integral parts of each other’s lives over the last 60 plus years. Many were able to attend Dad’s 80th Birthday dinner in Atlantic City.
Lance Sr. served his country in US Army and Army National Guard from 1960 thru 1963 and was honorably discharged in June 1963 after attaining the rank of Sargeant. He was a radio operator with a sharpshooter classification.
After college Lance worked for Buten paints and relocated for a short time to Greensboro, North Carolina. Drawn back to the Philadelphia area by a new job with Sun Oil, the family moved to Chester County, Pa and eventually to Marlton, NJ. Lance and Anna May enjoyed many summers at the NJ Shore in both Brigantine Beach and Ventnor City. The Sun Oil job took Lance and Anna May all over the United States and the world, including a time living in Hong Kong as President of Sun Oil Far East. After leaving Sun in the late 90’s, Lance worked for Total Fina Elf, until his retirement in 2009. His next position and we think his favorite job, was a golf ranger/starter at Ramblewood CC in Marlton. In his element talking golf!
In 2017 Lance and Susan relocated to Ft. Myers Florida for the warm temperatures and of course year-round golf. Over the last 7 years Lance and Susan travelled and enjoyed their time at Pelican Preserve with their large group of friends. He recently joined a Bocce group and looked forward to the Thursday night games as well as trivial pursuit evenings. Lance took an active interest in his Florida community and served on the Sevilla HOA Board of Directors which included attending many important meetings pertaining to the growth and well-being of life at Pelican Preserve. He was a caring, articulate, and intelligent gentleman and he will be sorely missed by all.
Two celebrations of Lance’s life will be held, the first in Ft. Myers, Florida on March 23, 2024 at The Club at Pelican Preserve. The second celebration will be held at 10 am on April 21, 2024 at Mt. Laurel Funeral Home, Mt. Laurel, NJ with a luncheon to follow at Ramblewood CC. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Lance Sr. grew up playing schoolyard and high school basketball in Southwest Philadelphia. After attending Bartram HS, Lance received a scholarship to play basketball for Philadelphia Textile. He and childhood friend Bob Malmgren along with rest of the 1958 Textile Hall of Fame team to the NIT Basketball tournament. Then known as the Textile “Weavers”, the team was led by Coach Bucky Harris, who drew on the local school yards and playgrounds in Philadelphia to make up his gritty and disciplined team. One of the more notable players of this era and eventual coach of the Textile team, Herb McGee joined the team in 1960. As the point guard on the team, Lance racked up tons of assists passing the ball to Herb. These team members have remained close and integral parts of each other’s lives over the last 60 plus years. Many were able to attend Dad’s 80th Birthday dinner in Atlantic City.
Lance Sr. served his country in US Army and Army National Guard from 1960 thru 1963 and was honorably discharged in June 1963 after attaining the rank of Sargeant. He was a radio operator with a sharpshooter classification.
After college Lance worked for Buten paints and relocated for a short time to Greensboro, North Carolina. Drawn back to the Philadelphia area by a new job with Sun Oil, the family moved to Chester County, Pa and eventually to Marlton, NJ. Lance and Anna May enjoyed many summers at the NJ Shore in both Brigantine Beach and Ventnor City. The Sun Oil job took Lance and Anna May all over the United States and the world, including a time living in Hong Kong as President of Sun Oil Far East. After leaving Sun in the late 90’s, Lance worked for Total Fina Elf, until his retirement in 2009. His next position and we think his favorite job, was a golf ranger/starter at Ramblewood CC in Marlton. In his element talking golf!
In 2017 Lance and Susan relocated to Ft. Myers Florida for the warm temperatures and of course year-round golf. Over the last 7 years Lance and Susan travelled and enjoyed their time at Pelican Preserve with their large group of friends. He recently joined a Bocce group and looked forward to the Thursday night games as well as trivial pursuit evenings. Lance took an active interest in his Florida community and served on the Sevilla HOA Board of Directors which included attending many important meetings pertaining to the growth and well-being of life at Pelican Preserve. He was a caring, articulate, and intelligent gentleman and he will be sorely missed by all.
Two celebrations of Lance’s life will be held, the first in Ft. Myers, Florida on March 23, 2024 at The Club at Pelican Preserve. The second celebration will be held at 10 am on April 21, 2024 at Mt. Laurel Funeral Home, Mt. Laurel, NJ with a luncheon to follow at Ramblewood CC. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warriors Project.