Lawerence Wagenseil

Lawrence L. Wagenseil NORFOLK - Lawrence Lee Wagenseil, 64, passed away in his home with his family by his side after a long battle with leukemia. Born in Pensacola, he was the son of the late Frances Carlberg Wagenseil and John White Wagenseil, a career naval officer. His ancestors were active in the early settlement of Massachusetts and Connecticut, having arrived in Boston in 1632. Lawrence was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif. He retired from the United States Navy as a captain after 24 years of service, including an in-country tour in Vietnam. He later was the commanding officer of USS Direct (MSO-430) and USS Valdez (FF-1096) and chief staff officer of Naval Station Newport. Following his retirement from the Navy, Lawrence graduated from the NAWCC School of Horology, and for the past eight years was in the watch and clock repair business, recently as owner of Norfolk Clock Repair. Lawrence was an avid student of American and naval history and loved to discuss these topics with family and friends. Lawrence is survived by his wife, Paula McDonald Wagenseil of Sumner, Iowa; a son, Michael McDonald Wagenseil and his wife Shelle of Warwick, N.Y.; two daughters, Stacy W. Hennessy and her husband Brian of Norfolk and Sara E. Gillespie and her husband Larry of Alexandria, Va.; two brothers, Taylor B. Wagenseil of New York City and John W. Wagenseil of Seattle; and five grandchildren. A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, by the Rev. Jack Howell. Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 5511 Staples Mill Road, Suite 202B, Richmond, VA 23228. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hdoliver.com.