Lawrence B. Kort

1949 - 2022

Lawrence "Larry" Bernard Kort, 72, of Natrona Heights, entered into eternal life Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Larry was a member of Guardian Angels Parish, Natrona Heights, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church. He was a lifetime member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Natrona Council No. 2602, held numerous offices within the council and was a delegate to the Pittsburgh Chapter and State Conventions. He proudly served as Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree and Honor Guard of Council No. 0928, Natrona. A 1967 graduate of Har-Brack High School, Larry earned his Associate in Arts degree in 1969 from the Boyce Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County, his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1971 and his Master of Education in 1978, both from Edinboro University. Mr. Kort taught biology, earth space science and botany at Plum Senior High school from 1973 until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the Plum Boro Education Association, National Education Association (NEA-Retired), Pennsylvania State Teachers Association (PSTA-Retired), Allegheny County Association of School Retirees, Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) and the Alle Kiski Chapter of PASR.lineLarry was a member of the former Kiski Valley Astronomers Society and a lover of "star parties," Tarentum District Sportsmen's Club and the Allegheny Valley YMCA Silver Sneakers Water Aerobics Class. He greatly enjoyed being a member of the Skyview Radio Society (KB3KHR), New Kensington and the National Association for Amateur Radio (AARL). In his early years, he enjoyed fossil hunting, carlinetrips, Caribbean cruises, a cross country trip to Arizona and the Grand Canyon and traveling to beach destinations in North Carolina and Maryland with his family. Larry could frequently be found working in his garden and cutting the grass on his John Deere tractor. He loved music, coffee, talking about military history and recalling stories told by his hero, his father, who served in World War II. He was extremely proud of his Polish heritage, and was a collector of family photographs and scrapbooks, military memorabilia, old books and fossils. He especially enjoyed working at the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfasts and loved telling jokes and making others laugh. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joan (Galetka) Kort, at home; daughters, Elizabeth Ann (Christopher) Von Bargen, of New Freedom and Theresa Marie (Santiago) Moran, of Winchester, Ken.; his grandson and light of his life, Connor James Von Bargen; sisters, Bernadette (Robert) Dudeck, Marlene (Leonard) Bolewitz and Sylvia (Eric) Lowry, all of Sarver; nine nieces and nephews and their spouses and children; and Estefania and Angelica Moran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann (Orkwiszewski) Kort and Bernard Kort; father-in-law, Emil J. Galetka; mother-in-law, Emma E. Galetka; and many aunts, uncles and cousins and numerous beloved canine companions. Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, at CICHOLSKI-ZIDEK FUNERAL HOME, 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Guardian Angels Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Natrona Heights, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, with the Rev. Andrew Fischer as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Mount Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. The Ladies of Charity of Guardian Angels Parish will hold services in the funeral home at 1:45 p.m. Friday and the Knights of Columbus will hold services at 6 p.m. Friday. The family requests those attending the visitation and service to please wear a face covering. Memorial contributions in Larry's honor may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council No. 2602, Natrona.