Larry Brunner

CS Lewis wrote about the loss of his wife, "her absence is like the sky, spread over everything".

Our dearest Larry, father, partner, brother, good friend, and obedient servant to the Lord God passed away peacefully in the care of Springfield Villa and Faith Hospice on July 27, 2025, after a brief, courageous journey with metastatic brain cancer.

Larry was born in the small town of Winona, Minnesota, on November 1, 1950, and lived there with his parents, Donald Brunner (D) and Violet (Vi) Reifsteck Brunner (D), and younger siblings, Cheryl and Jim (D). Before his senior year at Winona, Larry had to forfeit his roles as Basketball Team Captain, Student Body President, and A&W Soda Jerk. The family moved to Springfield, Missouri, when Larry's father became the MFA plant manager. Larry played basketball in his senior year at Glendale High School. Larry graduated as Salutatorian in his 1969 class of over 400. He received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Missouri of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri.

At Rolla, Larry completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering. His extracurricular activities included membership in Kappa Alpha Fraternity-Beta Alpha Chapter, serving in the Air Force ROTC, being an associate member in the Mechanical Engineering Society, and falling in love with a Springfield girl, Nancy Hornbeck. Nancy agreed to Larry's marriage proposal in 1972, and they moved to their Rolla basement apartment with "the one window".

Larry was awarded his Master's degree in May 1974 and commissioned as an Air Force Second Lieutenant. He served at Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Mission Command, launching satellites. Has anybody here been curious about Larry's passion for joy sticks and smart houses? Yip, the blame is on the Department of Defense.

In August 1976, Nancy and Larry welcomed their first son, Eric Allan Brunner. Larry completed his four-year Air Force commitment in August 1978 as a First Lieutenant and launched his 33-year career with Procter and Gamble. He remained in the AF Reserve until May 1980. Sorrow filled the hearts of Nancy and Larry as they lost Eric in May 1982. The P&G family grieved with Nancy and Larry. On March 10, 1986, Larry and Nancy celebrated the birth of Matthew Karl Brunner. P&G stocked the Brunner household with Pampers.

Most of Larry's P&G plant management roles involved Pampers, Always, Attends, and "Special Paper Assignments". His career had the family living in Memphis, Huntsville, Cheboygan, Michigan, Jackson, Mississippi, Norwich, NY, Alexandria, and the headquarters in Cincinnati. In 1990, Larry emerged into a new role with P&G as an organizational effectiveness trainer and global leader. Norb Mayrhofer, VP P&G Professional Division, wrote in Larry's congratulations retirement letter: "You pushed us always to do the right thing, even when it was tough, and that has helped us keep the business moving forward and enable our people to grow to the best of their talents and determination."

Our Larry was enthusiastic about golf, his lawn, and community service.

Larry was a "badger" about golf.
Yes, he was OBSESSED. He dressed like a "wolf". Made "duck hooks." And playing some 55+ years, Larry might have made one "do-do".

Larry was meticulous about his lawn. Before washing his clothes, Robbie always checked his pockets. Larry would stuff leaves into his pockets. Larry's and Robbie's neighborhood association has awarded Larry "yard of the month" for the last six years.

Since retiring from P&G in 2012, Larry has been an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer for the Senior Age Area on Aging. During the tax season, Larry spent 20 hours a week preparing taxes for people with low-to-moderate income, persons with disabilities, and limited English speakers.

Check out Larry's Facebook on September 28, 2022. There's a picture of his son, Matt, and himself. He wrote: "Happy Son day! I am very proud of what Matt has accomplished. Big IT guy at Bass Pro! He is now becoming a professional fisher." Every day is Son's Day for Larry.

Larry wrote in his Merry Christmas 2019 Letter, "From Larry Brunner and Robbie Pope…The Good Lord brought Larry and Robbie together this past year. We met in February, fell in love, and decided to blend our households in November. My house now has a wonderful woman, Robbie's cat Poppy, and my little terrier Ginger…Robbie and I pray you have a joyful and safe holiday, and may God bless you with a great 2020." Robbie wishes everyone to know "together, we had the time of our lives with love and grace."

Today, we gather to share the moments we had with Larry. We invite his Rolla, KA brothers of 59 years, his best friend Uncle Dave from their 30+ years at Procter & Gamble, the Springfield Rhodes Golf Buddies, and family and friends to share your glimpses with Larry.

Larry's family, Matthew and his special friend, Cheyenne Dziadosz; his sister, Cheryl Brunner Weltha and and hubby Roger; Joan Brunner wife of his brother, Jim; his nieces and nephews- Nicholas Weltha, August Weltha, Betsy Weltha, Maggie Weltha Revelo, Michelle Scott, Melissa Brunner and JB Brunner and the great nieces and nephews; and life partner, Robbie Pope and her family want to share with you all this quote by R. Tagore:
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come."

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to:
KA-Beta Alpha Education Foundation/Scholarship Fund
PO Box 1884
Rolla, MO 65402-1884
501(c)(3) EIN: 45-5288347
MEMO: In memory of Larry A. Brunner, Pledge Class 1969.

Larry expressed that instead of family and friends sending flowers for his service, he preferred to help other young men pursue their education, much like the educational funds and scholarships he received.