Johannes Penz, 68, of Murphy died Monday, August 10, 2015 at his residence. He was a native of Austria and came to the United States to study at age 21. He was a petrophysicist in the oil and gas exploration industry. He was a member of the Master Gardener, Friends of the Murphy Public Library, and the Appalachian Bee Club.

He was the son of the late Vinzenz and Maria Scheible Penz.

Surviving are his wife, Martha Savage Penz; a step-son, John Franklin Scott; a brother, Markus Penz and wife, Erica of Dornbirn, Austria; a niece, Miriam Penz of Austria; a nephew, Manuel Penz of Austria; and two step-grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time.

The family requests memorials be made in memory of Johannes Penz to the Friends of the Murphy Public Library, 9 Blumenthal Street, Murphy, NC 28906.