Alzheimer Victim Missing Since Sept.24th

[dallasvic]

Cops curtail search for Cotopaxi man, 63

By April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News
October 1, 2007
Rescue teams are scaling back the search for a Fremont County man with Alzheimer's disease who went missing a week ago.
Gary Lorenz, 63, was last seen Sept. 24 with his two dogs on his 180-acre property in Cotopaxi.
"We're scaling back the search just to local resources," said Andrea Cooper, spokeswoman for the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. "It's been awhile. The longer it gets, it's probably not a good (sign)."
Lorenz disappeared shortly after leaving his home in a mountainous area to check on livestock, Cooper said.
In the past week, volunteers and sheriff deputies searched a 20-mile radius near his home.
Lorenz was wearing a gray sweatshirt with a wolf on the front, a burgundy windbreaker, blue jeans and light tan shoes.
Neither he nor his two full-blooded golden retrievers — one wearing a red collar, one wearing a blue collar — has been seen since.
Lorenz, an Air Force Academy graduate and retired colonel, lives with his wife and mother-in-law. This is the first time he has wandered off, officials said. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 719-276-5555.


My Heart & Prayers Are With Gary Lorenz & His Family

[Mishell1383]

May you and your doggies be found safe. I am sure they are protecting you, keeping you warm, wherever you may be.

[dallasvic]

I pray for his safe return

[Wildwombat]

There is something up with that. I wonder just how high up in the Military he really was? <conspericy> you think? I hope it is just a case of lost. Hopefully the dogs will get hungry and lead him home. That is what is strange, those dogs would know the way home. Animals have really good sense of direction. Of course, he could be hurt and they wont leave him. I dont know, I hope and pray for the best.

[Mishell1383]

Originally Posted by Wildwombat

There is something up with that. I wonder just how high up in the Military he really was? <conspericy> you think? I hope it is just a case of lost. Hopefully the dogs will get hungry and lead him home. That is what is strange, those dogs would know the way home. Animals have really good sense of direction. Of course, he could be hurt and they wont leave him. I dont know, I hope and pray for the best.

My thoughts too. Dogs loyalty will out weigh there own hunger and pain. Thats why animals are just so incredible, they will do anything for there master. I'm just concerned, because who wouldn't spot a man and two dogs? Not that easy to miss.

[dallasvic]

Man with Alzheimer's still missing a week later
10/3/2007 7:11:49 AM

FREMONT COUNTY – A 63-year-old man last seen September 24 has not turned up, but his son is hopeful the man's missing Golden Retrievers are helping keep him alive.


Gary Lorenz went out on an ATV with his two dogs on their land in Cotopaxi, to bring home his horses. Searchers found the ATV which had apparently gone off a steep cliff and rolled, but there's been no sign of Lorenz or the dogs.

The retired Air Force Colonel has advanced Alzheimer's and has Aphasia, which makes it difficult for him to speak.

"And unfortunately with the Aphasia, he can't communicate either," said daughter-in-law Carrie Lorenz.

"He can't complete full sentences, but he can give you certain words that clue you in on what he's trying to say," said his son, John.

John Lorenz says his dad was planning to attend his 40th class reunion at the Air Force Academy this weekend. He says his dad was so looking forward to it, he would ask every day if today was the day.

Gary Lorenz is 5 feet 10 inches and 173 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt with a wolf on the front, jeans and brown loafer shoes.

He has a Safe Return bracelet to help lost Alzheimer's patients get back home, but he was not wearing it when he disappeared.

Anyone finding Gary Lorenz is asked to contact the Fremont County Sheriff's Office at 719-276-5555 and/or the Alzheimer's Association Safe Return Program at 1-800-572-1122
Safe Return bracelets have an ID number and an 800 number on it, that when called, can reunite the patient with their caregiver.

The Alzheimer's Association says of people enrolled in Safe Return, 89 percent are found within four hours, and 98.9 percent are located within 24 hours. You can learn more about the program at http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_safe_return.asp.

Another program, Project Lifesaver, involves the use of a personalized wristband with a radio transmitter that emits a tracking signal. In over 1,500 searches, the Alzheimer's Association says recovery times average less than 30 minutes.

More information about this program is available through the Alzheimer's Association Helpline at either 800-272-3900 or online at www.alzco.org.

[Mishell1383]

"John Lorenz says his dad was planning to attend his 40th class reunion at the Air Force Academy this weekend. He says his dad was so looking forward to it, he would ask every day if today was the day. "

Someone find him pleeeease! He needs to attend this weekend! This quote broke my heart.

[raysleslie]

Gary has been found. He was about 8 miles away from home, and probably died of exposure the fourth day he went missing. Amazingly, his two dogs, Merry and Pippin were still with him, after almost a month, and they are still alive. I didn't know Gary, I live in the next town from him, but I am so impressed with the love those two dogs had for him. It is a testement, in my mind, of what a man he must have been, to inspire such devotion. I am sure his wife, his daughter and son must take some solace in the fact that he was not alone. Never. I hope the family has peace, this must provide some measure of it, at least.

[odette]

Originally Posted by raysleslie

Gary has been found. He was about 8 miles away from home, and probably died of exposure the fourth day he went missing. Amazingly, his two dogs, Merry and Pippin were still with him, after almost a month, and they are still alive. I didn't know Gary, I live in the next town from him, but I am so impressed with the love those two dogs had for him. It is a testement, in my mind, of what a man he must have been, to inspire such devotion. I am sure his wife, his daughter and son must take some solace in the fact that he was not alone. Never. I hope the family has peace, this must provide some measure of it, at least.

Thank you so much for letting us know raysleslie. I appreciate it. I have looked for information regarding Gary Lorenz but could not find anything. Very sad outcome. How amazing that Merry and Pippin were still with him. Such faithful companions!!.

[odette]

Body of missing man found by a hunter

gazette.com - TOM ROEDER - October 22, 2007

A hunter over the weekend found the remains of a Fremont County man who had been missing for nearly a month.

Gary Lorenz, 63, was last seen Sept. 24 when he went to feed livestock on his property in Cotopaxi, west of Canon City. continued:»

Excerpt: Family members had hoped that Lorenz’s extensive Air Force survival training would help him in his ordeal and that the two dogs who disappeared with him would help him keep warm.

The dogs were found near his body in good condition.

“They must have loved him a lot to stay with him for that long,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Andrea Cooper said.

The dogs reportedly were friendly when deputies approached and have been returned to Lorenz’s family.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/lore...tle=Headlines:

[Mishell1383]

Oh dear!! I am so sad and disheartened that this is the way it ended. I was really hoping and praying that Gary would have been found. I am SO grateful to hear that he was not alone that whole time! What wonderful creatures Merry and Pippin are. What loyal, loving, devoted animals. i feel for the Lorenz's Family. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this time

[Its just me]

Originally Posted by Mishell1383

Oh dear!! I am so sad and disheartened that this is the way it ended. I was really hoping and praying that Gary would have been found. I am SO grateful to hear that he was not alone that whole time! What wonderful creatures Merry and Pippin are. What loyal, loving, devoted animals. i feel for the Lorenz's Family. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this time

Bumping to get past the sick porn.