Larry V. Irving passed away on June 7, 2022, at the age of 84 in the Hospice of Laramie after a lengthy illness, with his wife of 64 and a half years by his side. A Laramie native, Larry was known by family and friends for his caring acts of service, which, throughout his life, inspired others to give of their time and talents.
Born on March 30, 1938, to James W. Irving, a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad, and Alice (Cady) Irving, Larry made a positive difference in Laramie starting as a young man delivering newspapers. When out on his route delivering papers after the blizzard of 1949, eleven-year-old Larry heard an elderly man calling for help. The man was trapped in his basement apartment because the steps had filled with snow, and Larry helped to dig him out.
Growing up on Laramie’s North 7th Street, the young man didn’t meet his wife, Lois Dunn, who grew up on South 7th Street, until they attended the same biology class at Laramie Senior High School. When Larry saw her, he told his lab partner, Don H., “See that blonde? That’s who I’m going to marry.” From then on, when Larry came to town after a hard day of haying and working cattle out at Schmale’s ranch, he would flirt with his future wife at her family’s Tastee Freeze. In addition to ranch work, the teenager served in the National Guard and assisted with the aftermath of United Airlines’ flight 409 crash on Medicine Bow Peak in October of 1955.
In the spring of 1956, Larry and Lois graduated. Following in the footsteps of his grandmother Wilburta Knight Cady, one of the first University of Wyoming graduates in Home Economics, Larry attended classes at UW until he enlisted with the Navy. He and Lois married December 4, 1957, and moved to Long Beach, California, and later to Kansas City, where Larry attended Central Technical Institute, earning an Associate’s Degree in electronics. While in the Navy, Larry served aboard repair ships, the USS Kermit Roosevelt and the USS Delta.
After the young father moved his family back to Laramie, he first worked for the telephone company running wire in northeast Wyoming, and then later climbing the tower for Laramie Community TV.
Perhaps not as famously as his great-uncle, Samuel Knight, “Mr. Geology of Wyoming”, Larry earned distinguished recognition for his 33 years of service at the University of Wyoming as an Electronic Technician in the Atmospheric Science Department. In that position, he helped the research scientists by building and then installing weather equipment in their King Air airplane, which flew all over the world conducting climate studies; he also spent time traveling the back roads of Wyoming to collect wind pattern data; and he made trips up to the summit of Elk Mountain in a Snowcat, to the weather observatory.
A long-time friend and former Department Chair, Dr. Gabor Vali, Professor Emeritus, wrote this about Larry:
“When Larry worked on something there was no question of the maximum quality, care and reliability. His temperament was under control in all circumstances, and he was good at adding a bit of lightness when things looked gloomy.
Larry was the perfect driver of the Sno-Cats and other difficult machines to get to Elk Mountain. He knew perfectly what needed to be done if something went wrong up there. KJP Unit 9 was ready to guide you by radio if help was needed to solve a problem. He was the leader of the technical crew and made sure the snowshoes were ready for the next winter. Larry would instruct newcomers with patience and clarity. He figured out how to build the tall platform by the Observatory. He knew how far to let a bear approach Don R., enough to be safe but give him a good scare. He knew how to run the silver iodide generators; he knew where gages were installed. Back at the Quonset Hut he knew where everything was stored and what needed to be repaired or replaced. How many innumerable miles did Larry drive to and from field projects after preparing and after recovering all the gear?
Back at the lab or workshop, he built instruments of all kinds and made sure that there was nothing less than perfect. He built, he tested, he installed, he documented. He was ready to test new techniques, adapt to technology as it evolved. He’d spend hours learning about how things worked inside of what he helped build.
My memory is not good enough to come even close to recalling all the many ways Larry helped along the work of the group that became the Department of Atmospheric Science. He was there at the start, close to sixty years ago. Everyone who ever was part of that group owes an incredible debt to Larry. His skill, knowledge, versatility, and dedication cannot be easily described in words. He left his mark indelibly on the history of the Department and on many others who benefitted from the operations and from the science accomplished.”
On his days off, Larry enjoyed fishing and camping with his family in the Snowy Range. He also liked to hunt in the Shirley Basin, where his paternal grandfather homesteaded. He served for years as an elder, deacon, and usher at the United Presbyterian Church; and he volunteered to run the sound board there. As a former Gideon, he enjoyed sharing Bibles and books of faith to help others build a relationship with Christ.
Those who knew Larry will miss hearing his voice with its distinct Western accent, seeing his smile, and enjoying his sense of humor—as well as the blessings of his acts of service and generosity, his steady presence, and his strong faith as the patriarch of his family.
Larry is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife, Lois; his sister Peggy Goetz, of Fort Collins, Colorado; and his brother and sister-in-law William and Carolyn Irving, of Corvallis, Oregon. In addition, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Perry and Leslie Irving; a daughter and son-in law, Wendy and Jim Watson; and his grandchildren, Meggan and Arlo Stansbury, Zach and Chelsea Arndt, and Shealyn and Austin Woody. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and son, Mike Irving.
The family feels blessed by the wonderful care Larry received at the end of his life and would like any donations in memory of Larry to be made in support of The Hospice of Laramie.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16th at the United Presbyterian Church with Military Honors.
Our condolences to Lois, Bill and their families & Peggy and her family on Larry’s passing. We are praying for God’s love and the knowledge that Larry is resting in Him to comfort all of you.
Wendy and family, My deepest condolences to you and your family. Prayers for peace and comfort in this time of sorrow. May the wonderful memories live in your for ever. Much love, Shannon (Kinsel) Payne
As a young man with much to learn, I may have been intimidated by Larry he was so respected in the department, however soon I marveled at his abilities and diligence to the tasks at hand. I learned a lot working with and under him and left the department learning far more than I earned. In our later years I again had the time to talk with Larry over coffee, we shared our thoughts and love for our Lord. This world could use many more people of Larrys' caliber... rest easy Larry you did well by all. Kenneth Rehmeier
Thinking of Uncle Larry brings back lovely childhood memories of fishing in the French Creek area, camping in the Snowy Range. He always called me Hoot Owl because as a child I stayed up late. He was such a faithful & loving brother to my Mom, Peggy, they always enjoyed conversations & lunches together. Uncle Larry was a blessing in our small family. Wishing you peace Aunt Lois & family.
Missing my priceless brother🥰. Beautiful video.
I will miss our wonderful conversation . This is a priceless video Larry and Lois.
Larry was a true friend going back to our days in Laramie High Class of '56. In January of '57 we both transferred into the US Navy, he from the National Guard and I from the Naval Reserve. An all Wyoming company was being formed for Navy Boot Camp at San Diego. The company, including Larry and I were sworn in at the Channel 5 studio at Cheyenne during the 5 o'clock news on 30 January 1957. Didn't see much of Larry and Lois after boot camp and after the Navy we were both busy working and raising our families with our wives. After we retired we did enjoy frequent times spent together over coffee. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to Lois and her family.
Larry was a very approachable guy in a high-intensity research group. It seemed like he was always there at the beginning of field projects setting up instrumentation and aircraft and computer facilities in Sacramento, Miles City and beyond, and then dismantling them after the project and hauling them back to Laramie. His friendly presence and technical competence was a total positive. I would not be surprised if he's out there now on the advance team for his new boss getting things ready for our arrival for the ultimate cloud study.
As a graduate student at the Department of Atmospheric Science 45 years ago, I am grateful that I met and worked with Larry. His kindness to me and others during those years helped me and others to pursue our careers. He was a guiding light on our research trips to St. Louis, Missouri. Launching weather balloons and working with the students on the instrumented research vehicles as we drove around St. Louis, he gave us confidence that we would be able to collect our data. Thank you Larry, you made a difference in many peoples lives.
Larry was a stalwart in the Department of Atmospheric Science at UW in the decades from its inception in the 1960s, playing a key role in the establishing and instrumenting of Elk Mountain Observatory and all of the departmental research aircraft and labs. A true gentleman with great humor -- the go-to guy to get things done. It was a pleasure to work with him on the many projects he supported here in Wyoming and around the world. Please accept my condolences.
Attending a Bible study at UPC with Larry and Lois was a true gift! His caring nature, calm demeanor and witty humor will always be remembered. Our prayers are with Lois and all who loved Larry.
By example, friendship, an extended hand, and by tireless work, Larry influenced the lives of many people; mine included. I carry his memory now as I carried thoughts of him and as I enjoyed his presence for well over half a century. I deeply regret the loss that must be felt by Lois, and by Perry and Wendy and the wider family. Sincere condolences! Gabor