By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Sid Lenger, better known as Mr. Sid, loved sharing his stories of World War II and his travel adventures around the world.
The founder of Lenger Travel and World War II veteran passed away May 13 at the age of 100 but his love of sharing stories will continue, according to his friends who plan to honor Lenger’s memory by continuing his already scheduled Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW.
Tom Sibley, a WKTV volunteer and one of Lenger’s helpers in organizing the series, said after consulting with Lenger’s daughter, Lavonne Ritzema, Marge Wilson owner of Marge’s Donut Dent, and Fruitbasket/Flowerland owner Rick Vuyst, who is the scheduled guest speaker, it was decided to continue with Vuyst’s scheduled presentation. The program is set for Wednesday, May 15, at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den. Lenger is one of the military veterans featured in Vuyst’s newest book “Operation Rumination.”
“With a heavy heart – but comforted knowing that faithful Sid is at peace in the open arms of his Savior and reunited with his lifelong partner Beulah and son Sidney, we report that our Mr. Sid passed away Monday morning,” Sibley said, when announcing Lenger’s passing.
Filmaking always had been a hobby of Lenger who had crated hundreds of films. As part of Lenger Travel, Lenger would make travelogues that he would often show at Godwin Heights High School to help increase interest in the tours his company offered. The films became popular because they not only highlighted the well-known places such as Munch or Berlin, but captured what life was really like in those communities.
Sibley once noted “When [Lenger] took tour groups, he often would take smaller groups so that they could get up close to the whales or access to places larger groups could not visit.”
One of Lenger’s more popular films was his tour of Muskegon’s LST 393 (landing ship tank), where he was a volunteer tour guide. During World War II, Lenger served on such a ship, the LST 651, during the first wave in Okinawa. Lenger often told the story of a Japanese World War II plane headed toward the ship and how his gunner David “Goldie” Goldsboro save the ship. Last fall, Goldsboro and his family came for a special Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series program, which featured the story of Lenger’s time on the LST 651.
Sibley said the spring Mr. Sid Wednesday Afternoon Video Series will continue on May 29 with the film on the LST 393, which is still docked in Muskegon and is one of only two surviving vintage LSTs (landing ship tank). It will be followed by a question-and-answer session with staff from the LST 393. On June 12, there will be an “Honoring Fathers” program lead by Mike Martin.
Visitation for Lenger will be at Zaagman’s Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, and one hour (from 10 – 11 a.m.) prior to the 11 a.m. Thursday, May 16, service at Seymour Christian Reformed Church, 840 Alger St. SE. Lenger is survived by his children, Lavonne Ritzema, Robert and Lori Lenger, Richard and Carol Lenger, Ruth Lenger; his sister-in-law, Joan Lenger; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.
