Dr. Lance H. Tempel, D.D.S., 49, of Seneca, KS, died suddenly on Friday, September 21, 2001, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. His death was due to an apparent heart attack.

He was born September 14, 1952, the son of Louis and Marian Schaefer Tempel, in Kansas City, MO. The family moved to Sedalia, MO in 1957, where he graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1970. He entered the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1970 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1974.

In 1974 Lance married the former Nancy Harrison of Sedalia. In 1977 he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and shortly afterwards began his practice in Seneca.

Lance was president of the Kansas Academy of General Dentistry in 1998. He was a member of the American Dental Association and was a delegate to the Kansas Dental Association from the Northeast District. He served on the Peer Review Committee and was the Northeast Kansas District Chairman. He also participated in the Kansas Donated Dental Services. Lance was about to have the honor of being inducted into the International College of Dentists on October 12, 2001.

In Seneca, he served on the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Board of Trustees and was the president from 1996-98. He was a member and past president of the Seneca Chamber of Commerce, Seneca Free Library, and the Seneca Lions Club. He was also a member of the Nemaha County Historical Society, the Site Council for the Seneca Grade School and the United Methodist Church Board. Most recently, he had been serving on the Seneca Housing Authority Board, the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Foundation Board, and involved in a show with the Bern Community Theatre.

Lance enjoyed playing golf, singing in the church choir, fishing with his children, along with acting in the local community theatre. He worked tirelessly to provide quality care to his patients. Lance was a dedicated husband and father to his two children.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy, a daughter, Anne, and a son, Eric of the home; his parents, Louis and Marian Tempel of Sedalia; a brother, Curt of Tulsa, OK; and a sister, Marla Abrams of Coeur d’Alene, ID; a niece and a nephew.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Tuesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. A vigil prayer service will be held at 7 PM Monday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Graveside service will be 10:30 AM Wednesday at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia, MO.

Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, and sent in care of the family.