Lawrence Leo Steinmetz

Larry, as he was known to all his family and friends, was born in Newburg, Missouri but spent most of his youth in Rolla, Missouri where he met his wife of 53 years. He and Sally started dating in 1954 when they were seniors in high school. He was also known as Dad, Grampy and Uncle Larry. He attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship but after being red-shirted for two years, he decided there was an easier way to pay for college so he dropped his scholarship and earned more by working at other jobs. He and Sally were married on Dec. 27th, 1958. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, he continued another year at the University of Missouri to complete his Master's degree. The two then moved to El Paso, Texas where he served his military obligation at Ft. Bliss, Texas. After living there for a year they both fell in love with the west and vowed to return when he had completed his Ph.D. At the age of 26, he graduated from the University of Michigan in June of 1964. Larry and Sally then moved to Boulder, Colorado where he became a professor of business management at the University of Colorado. He quickly moved ahead to become a full professor and head of the management department. He was on the staff of the business school for 12 years but was being pulled in another direction as a public speaker and seminar leader. After leaving the University, he developed his own company which ran seminars and executive councils. He was a very well respected and popular speaker in the business field and worked with many major business companies both within the United States and internationally. He authored several books and DVD's related to his field of expertise. Dr. Steinmetz was still very much in demand when he became ill with a very aggressive type of leukemia. Larry and Sally raised two daughters and a son who in turn gave them eight grandchildren. One of his greatest pleasures was planning and taking trips with his family and friends. Many of his grandchildren especially remember him taking them on road trips around the country. In addition to his family, another of his passions was designing, restoring, and building cars. He also took great pleasure in driving them around town. To his family he was a larger than life kind of guy; there was little that he could not master if he developed an interest or reason to pursue it. After making contact with his mother's relatives in Germany, he learned to speak German in order to converse with them. This led to some wonderful trips and exchange visits. Larry designed his home and constructed a beautiful HO gauge train set for the basement. He was generous, kind and supportive to his family and friends and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Sally Steinmetz; his son, James Bradley Steinmetz; his daughters, Susan Wojciechowski and Marcy Wood; his grandchildren, Katelyn Wojciechowski, Jackson Wojciechowski. Rachael Steinmetz, Kayla Steinmetz, Jake Steinmetz. Evelyn Wood, Aynsleigh Wood, and Ethan Wood; brothers Bob Steinmetz and Ed Steinmetz. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service. For those who would like further information, please email Susan, susan.wojciechowski@aol.com or Beth, bethsteinmetz672@msn.com.