Larry Walters

Larry Walters, passed away on June 3, 2025, at the age of 83 in Naperville, IL.
A devoted, husband, father and grandfather, Larry's legacy is carried on through his loving wife, Diane (Roach) and his children: Susan Walters- Flood (Jay Flood), Jennifer (Brian) Brasfield, Jonathan (Linda Hallo) Walters and his grandchildren: Jacqueline, Gavin and Jillian Flood, Paige and Logan Brasfield, Alexander and Philip Walters. Larry was proceeded in death by his loving parents Harold and Letha (Harbaugh) Walters and his brother Terry. He was a dear son-in-law of the late Emmett and the late Helen Roach. He was a loving uncle to Scott Nepereny and Tracy Nepereny (Scott) Hamilton. Dearest brother-in law to Sudie (Will) Gossett and Marcy Roach. Larry's family also includes close cousin Tana (Harbaugh) Wendling and many others.
Born on February 21,1942 in Manchester, IA; he grew up in Earlville IA, graduated Earlville High School in 1959, graduated Upper IA university in 1962 with a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology. Larry studied at Montana State University and obtained a Master's degree at Clevland State University in Environmental Sciences and Chemistry. He also participated in a Business Management Leadership program at Illinois Benedictine and other professional development programs.
Larry's life was a journey marked by dream pursuits and innovation, who often inspired those around him. Larry was a premier food developer and technologist for many companies such as Durkee Foods, Swift & Co, Domino Sugar, Imperial Sugar, Edlong Corporation. Larry also developed products for brands such as: Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, King Arthur, Butterball Turkey, Brown and Serve Sausage, Chex mix and many others. Larry was an agricultural leader by pioneering the crop of Amaranth and defining the ancient grains industry (including amaranth, teff, sorghum and millet).
Larry's Ancient Grains business journey began when he discovered amaranth being one of the most nutritious forgotten foods sources of the Aztecs and Incas. Larry was responsible for transforming these crops into specialty ingredients used by leading food branders nationwide. Larry passionately founded Nu-World Foods in 1977 and built through to his retirement in 2019. Larry, with his co-founders, Terry and Diane Walters and later with family members Susan Walters -Flood and Jonathan Walters, together their business journey included: new product and process development, employed over 100 people and educating thousands of farmers and consumers of the benefits of amaranth and other ancient grains.
Larry was a student of science, across many areas including: food, nutrition, agriculture, geology and climate. Larry lived science everyday with his career as well as in his life. Larry was a part of an early feasibility FDA study, in which he was the second in the nation to receive a new heart valve surgery called Tendyne Therapy. This study and procedure is becoming a paradigm shift in how heart mitral valve replacement surgery is now performed. This Tendyne valve has already saved thousands of people's lives. As of May 27, 2025 the Tendyne received its FDA approval positioning it to be one of the life changing therapies worldwide. We all thank Larry for being a part of this medical study.
Larry's core wisdom was inspired by the Golden Rule –he taught us to treat all with kindness and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. He believed in pursuing your dreams. In his philosophy there was no challenge that couldn't be hurdled. More recently, Larry further believed that all people on earth "all-of-us" will need to come together to solve our largest world challenges.
Larry's energies and interests first and foremost were Family. He found great joy in everyday life as well as celebrations and vacations with family. His other interests and pursuits included entrepreneurship, history, chess and nature.
As we bid farewell to Larry Walters, we celebrate a life of caring, loving, creation and innovation. He offered a stoic example of "golden" character that enveloped and inspired those around him.
In honor of Larry's memorable life, an open visitation will be on Monday, June 9th from 5:00 to 8:00pm at Modell Funeral Home, 7710 S. Cass Ave., Darien.
In lieu of flowers, donations to: Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation https://mplsheart.org/giving or plant a tree via the Arbor Day Foundation https://shop.arborday.org/donations