Larry M. Lauffer

1941 - 05

Larry Martin Lauffer, 67, of Ruffsdale, passed away Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, after being life flighted there on Sept. 29, from Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. He was born May 28, 1941, in Armbrust. Larry is survived by many who enjoyed sharing his life with him, his loving and caring wife of 45 years, Jane Louise Kreinbrook Lauffer, whom he met while in college; their sons who cared deeply about their father, Jeffrey David Lauffer, of Everson, and Brian Larry Lauffer, of Fairmont, W.Va.; his granddaughter, whom he adored and enjoyed watching her participate in many activities, Samantha Jane Lauffer, of Mt. Pleasant. Also surviving are Larry's mother, Mary Elizabeth Lauffer, of Greensburg; his sisters, Carol Bishop and her husband, James, of Greensburg, Barbara Harkins and her husband, James, of Gibsonia, and Lois Harbison and her husband, David, of Greensburg; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carole and Wayne Malone, of Ruffsdale; father-in-law, Randall Kreinbrook, of Mt. Pleasant. Nieces and nephews who survive are Jonathan and Michelle Criswell (Gabriela), Jeremy Criswell, Jordan Bishop, Julianne Bishop, Sarah Brager, Daniel Brager, Eric Harbison, Brett Harbison, Robert and Crystal Malone (Kayla and Randy), Dr. Susan Malone and her husband, Peter Carnochan (Sienna, Scarlett and Spencer) and Mark Malone; Uncle Kenneth and Aunt Elma Lauffer, of West Newton, and Aunt Eleanor Williams, of Greensburg, also survive him. Larry was predeceased by his father, Wilbur Francis Lauffer, in 1996; his mother, Gladys Ahlborn Lauffer, in 1945; his mother-in-law, Ruth Harrer Kreinbrook, in 1993; aunts, Marjeanne Carey, in 1996, and Hester Munden, 1997; and aunt and uncle, Ruth and Robert Munden. Larry was a 45-year member of the United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant, where he had been a communion steward for 10 years, an usher, assistant financial secretary and helped to count the offering. Larry graduated from Greensburg Salem High School in 1959. He played lead trumpet in the band and won an award for musical ability at Duquesne University. In the Science Fair at Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, he earned first place in the engineering category. Larry graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor of science degree in industrial arts in 1963 and a master's of science in education degree in 1981. His post graduate studies (ABD) were done at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and West Virginia University. His teaching career began at Northern Area School District and Churchill Area School District. For 18 years, he taught in the Southmoreland School District. While renovations were taking place, the portable building in which he taught was dubbed "Lauffer Hall," where a formal reception was held during Open House. For 23 years, he taught at Fairmont State University, Fairmont, W.Va., where he was a professor and program coordinator for the graphic communications program, retiring in 2006. He was a technical editor for the John Wiley & Sons Inc. Book Company. Memberships include Epsilon Pi Tau (technology honorary) at California University of Pennsylvania (Psi), where he was honored with a Laureate award and Fairmont State University (Alpha Upsilon), Phi Delta Kappa (education honorary), Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, Printing Industries of America, Sigma Tau Gamma (Beta Iota) and Hecla Sportsmen's Club. Formerly, Larry served as the Westmoreland emergency coordinator for amateur radio operators (WA3YIR) and was integral to successful emergency operators during the Johnstown Flood of 1977. He was an entrepreneur with several successful small businesses linked to his computer and ham radio interests. A true Mr. Fix-It-All, Larry was known to be able to fix or build just about anything. He was always ahead of the technological curve, running his own electronic BBS before anyone had heard of the internet. He had an amazing Pez and vintage computer collection. For 26 years, Larry served with his wife as co-owner of Little Learner Preschool LLC, New Stanton, which he named. Visiting with family and friends will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL SERVICE INC., 730 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant. Interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. For those wishing to do so, donations to a Larry Lauffer memorial scholarship trust fund may be sent to The Larry M. Lauffer Memorial Scholarship Fund, 742 State Route 31, Ruffsdale, PA 15679. To view online obituary, sign guest registry, or send condolences, please visit www.saloomfuneralservice.com. Richard Rega, funeral director.