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Larry Esvelt Obituary
ESVELT, Larry
Passed away on April 25 at his home. His last day was an Easter Sunday and he spent it in his favorite way, with his beloved wife and surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He was born on October 19, 1938 in Spokane, WA to Howard and Clara Esvelt, and grew up the eldest of six brothers, on his family farm outside of Daisy, WA. After receiving his degree with honors in Civil Engineering from Washington State University, he married Sherry Kay Maize in 1962. Larry went on to UC Berkeley for his Masters and PhD, and in 1976 he opened his own firm, Esvelt Environmental Engineering. Larry's greatest joy was his family, and he was blessed with three children Kathy, Mark, and Erik, and seven grandchildren. His work in environmental engineering took him first around the Pacific Northwest and eventually around the world, designing, consulting and accrediting. Larry was a devoted member of his church and an active supporter of his community as well as a tireless member of numerous professional organizations. He was a golden glove boxer, an avid pilot, and a superb skier. He will always be remembered for his integrity, generosity and leadership. He was a wonderful father, a true friend, and great man, and he will be missed by us all. Larry is survived by his five brothers, his wife and children. The memorial service will take place on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 1:00pm, at Millwood Presbyterian Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Larry Esvelt
John Finnegan, Steve Burchett, and all our staff
October 13, 2011
The staff of Budinger & Associates misses Larry greatly. Our goal was to emulate Larry in the application of science to solve problems (not just study them), exercise good judgement, and behave professionally in all endeavors. We believe his legacy will only grow stronger through the years.
Roger Dolan
July 6, 2011
I knew Larry as a student, practicing engineer in Central Washington and as one who actively supported the professionalism of the field through his work with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. He was truly a leader, a gentleman and an exceptional engineer. He will be missed.
Paul Klatt
May 4, 2011
My thoughts of Larry are simple: calm, thoughtful, intellegent, full of integrity and sincerity. Attendance of Larry's service and viewing this photo collage only deepened and broadened that view.
Nothing can fill that hole in the heart Larry's passing leaves us with. That hole is also a place where we store very precious things, things that we need today, tomorrow and throughout our lives. Thank you Larry.
May 4, 2011
I have known Larry for 45 years. He was very patient and taught me vast information about water environmet. I will miss him very much.
A devoted friend,
Herb Hart
May 3, 2011
Larry will be missed by all who knew him. If the measure of a man is not what he has but what he leaves behind.....Larry was a giant of a person, of an engineer and of a leader in his community/family. My condolences go out to the family of Larry Esvelt.
Dale Baune, PE
Coeur d'Alene
Christine & Tom Clark
May 2, 2011
Larry Esvelt, thanks for your open welcome regarding environmental engineering concerns. You and your family contribute wonderful caring and helpfulness on this complicated planet.
May 2, 2011
The staff at GeoEngineers send their heartfelt and deepest condolences to Larry's family. After working with Larry on several projects over the past few years, we found him to be not only an exceptional engineer, but a gentleman in every respect. We will miss his technical and professional leadership.
Bill Huibregtse
May 2, 2011
I had the privilege of knowing and working with Larry for the past 35 years on many wastewater projects in Central Washington. Larry was a man of great character and always exhibited caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all his endeavors. Larry was a giant in his field of expertise while remaining a humble gentleman whose greatest joy was his family. I will truly miss Larry and will think of his smiling face and even disposition when approaching a solution to problems. My sympathies go out to Larry's family in this difficult time. Thank you for sharing Larry with the rest of us.
May 2, 2011
Cathy and Family.
What a jolt it was today when I read about the death of your father. We shared the same year of our birth and our marriages. It was a real pleasure working with him as a consultant on environmental projects. He was a true professional in environmental engineering. I will remember him for his warm smile and his dedication to his profession, community, and family. I will miss him dearly. Dave and Trish Bezdicek, Pullman, WA.
Deborah Bisenius
May 2, 2011
Be Still
Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.
Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.
If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.
Ann Baker
May 2, 2011
While Larry's extended family will dearly miss his presence, his legacy of honoring the value and importance of family will survive in our memories of him. He inspires us to take really good care of each other.
Rob & Kelli Trounce
May 2, 2011
We will forever remember Larry's bright smile and the twinkle in his eyes. He was a dedicated man to all that was truly important, and we will always be thankful for his great example. We will miss you Larry, and we send our love and prayers to the entire Esvelt family. Thankyou for being a loving Uncle. Much Love, Kelli & Rob Trounce and family
May 1, 2011
I had the honor to work with Larry for the last 30 years. He was a true profesional engineer but a loyal friend. My sympathy to the family. He was a true mentor for what professionalism should be. James and Karen Kimball
Boarding a Jeepnee in Manila, November 2010
Stephen Shelton
May 1, 2011
I had the privilege of working with Larry through ASCE, AAEE and ABET over many years. The photographs are from an accreditation visit last November. He will be missed by all us who’s life he touched.
Greg Baca
April 30, 2011
I worked with Larry on a couple of projects several years ago. I found him to be a very brilliant engineer but yet a humble and kind individual. I always had a great respect for his integrity. My condolences to his family.
Bob Spink
April 29, 2011
It's hard to know where to start in saying something about Larry Esvelt. I've known him for 44 years and know of no other person as intelligent or competent as he was in our field of civil engineering. His son Mark and daughter-in-law Allison are following in his footsteps and I'm sure he was proud of them and they him. Larry was extremely helpful to me in our business as well as Mark and Allison are. My condolences to Larry's family and friends. Sherry, you married the best!
Vern & Ingrid Roelfs
April 29, 2011
We were very sad to learn of Larry's passing. Larry has been a professional colleague since the early 1980's when we worked together on a project in Barrow, Alaska. He was always a pleasure to have on the team -- his knowledge, dedication, and honesty were impressive (though he never tried to impress anyone). We always looked forward to spending time with Larry when he traveled to Alaska for various projects. He was an amazing man of integrity and a fine friend. Losing him is hard and we pray comfort for the Esvelt family.
Gale Olrich
April 29, 2011
"There were giants in those days." I have worked with and respected Larry for over 35 years and valued every moment. What made him especially unique is, he never pushed products or services on his many clients that wouldn't work for the long term. He will fit with eternity quite well. The profession and the community will truly miss him. God be with his family. Gale Olrich
Don MacDonald
April 28, 2011
Larry was a pioneer in his field and his legacy can be measured in part by the great many public works projects that would not have been possible were it not for his brilliance as an engineer and his ability to convey to all matter of audiences the environmental benefits to be derived from the projects he was associated with. I had the pleasure to work with Larry for 15 works on a number of different projects and I always found Larry to be the utmost professional. Larry had a quiet and somewhat unassuming way in which he would enter a crowded meeting room and take his seat. However, when Larry began to speak, he captured the attention of everyone in the room and if you did not know beforehand, you quickly realized that this was a man of great knowledge and you would be best served to listen to everything he had to say. I am proud to have known Larry and I will miss him very much. I will always remember Larry as a great man of science and as a wonderful human being. My deepest sympathies to the entire Esvelt family.
Brian Belsby
April 28, 2011
He was an amazing engineer and a wonderful person. His great energy and good health makes his passing feel quite unexpected. I'm sure it's a very difficult time for the Esvelt family. I hope you find some solace in the sympathy from all those that knew Larry and the wonderful legacy for which he will be remembered.
Karen Esvelt
April 28, 2011
Larry was a wonderful man who loved his family and our Lord. He contributed in many ways to his family, community, and the world. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him, and his passing leaves a hole in our lives.
Kathy & Tom Beck
April 28, 2011
Please know we are sharing in your loss of such a great man and we lift your family up in prayer to God, the healer of all things, who makes everything beautiful in His time.
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