In Memoriam
Lawrence Harland Strom, Ed.D.
Dr. Larry Strom was born on October 16, 1942 in the Copper Queen Hospital in Bisbee, Arizona to John Albin “Al” Strom and Winifred “Wynne” Strom. Larry completed his contract with this earthly life on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 while on a motorcycle excursion in New Mexico.
After graduation in 1964 from Arizona State College at Flagstaff (now Northern Arizona University), Larry was employed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Center of Astrogeology, as an engineering technician. While employed at “Astro,” Larry worked on the Ranger, Orbiter, Surveyor, and Apollo space missions. His primary responsibilities included the development of geophysical instrument prototypes used for lunar exploration.
Upon completion of his work at Astrogeology, and a Master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, Larry accepted a fellowship to attend the University of Missouri at Columbia to study towards a doctoral degree in Industrial Technology. Larry received two degrees from the University of Missouri: an Educational Specialist degree (1969) and a Doctor of Education degree (1978). Dr. Strom’s dissertation was selected as the outstanding doctoral study at the University of Missouri for the decade of the seventies. His study was the first to use sophisticated multivariate analysis of variance processes in an educational study.
Larry was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Technology, School of Engineering and Computer Science, at California State University in Chico, from 1969 to 1976. Larry always took pride in how he “put the student first.” He kept in contact with students he had in his very first Engineering Graphics class at Chico State. He was part of a team that initiated the Construction Management and Manufacturing Management programs at Chico State.
From 1976 to 1999, Larry was on the faculty of Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. While at Yavapai, Larry helped establish the following programs: Yavapai Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa; Yavapai College Student Chapter 119, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (three times selected as the outstanding chapter in the United States); Yavapai College VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) Chapter; Circle K; Manufacturing Technology; Manufacturing Product Planning; Manufacturing Materials Processing; Solar Technology; Construction Technology; and Gunsmithing.
Larry enjoyed taking his students on field trips to high technology sites. Field trips were conducted to: Airesearch; JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory); Hughes Missile and Space; TRW – One Space Park; Lockheed; Edwards Air Force Base (visited every Orbiter while being fabricated); Northrop; AlliedSignal Aerospace; Universal Propulsion; Digital; Honeywell; Intel; Orbital Sciences; Motorola; McDonnell Douglas Aircraft; Disneyland (toured the catacombs under the amusement park that held automation equipment that provided the “magic” for the “Magic Kingdom”); TRW – Mesa; Revlon; General Motors’ Corvette Plant, Bowling Green, Kentucky; Ford Motors’ Large Truck Plant, Louisville, Kentucky; Los Alamos National Laboratory; and AlliedSignal, Kansas City, Missouri (Nuclear Weapons Plant).
Larry had an active professional life. He held offices in a number of professional organizations including Chairman, Region VII (11 western states) Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME); Chairman, International Education Committee, SME; Chairman, Phoenix Chapter, SME; President, Yavapai Chapter, Phi Delta Kappa; President, Arizona Technology and Industry Education Association; and President, Yavapai College Faculty Association. Larry was an active member in a number of professional organizations, serving on committees, planning and delivering conferences, and assisting in the successful operation of the organization. Organizations included: California Council of Industrial Technical Teacher Educators; California Industrial Education Association; International Technology Education Association; American Council of Technical Teacher Educators (life member); American Vocational Association; and Arizona Vocational Association.
Larry also received a number of honors including University of Missouri Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation (1970 Decade); Outstanding Young Men in America Award (1977); Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Achievement Award (1981); National Society of Professional Engineers/California Society of Professional Engineers Contributions to Engineering Profession Award (1984); Society of Manufacturing Engineers Region VII Outstanding Contributions to the Engineering and Scientific Profession Award (1985); Los Angeles Council of Scientist and Engineers Distinguished Achievements Award (1985); Arizona Technology and Industry Education Association Outstanding Leadership Award (1995); and Epsilon Pi Tau Laureate Citation (1997).
He is survived by his mother and father, John Albin “Al” Strom and Winifred “Wynne” Strom of Prescott; brother John Strom (Jo Ann) of Victorville, Calif.; daughter Heidi Strom Moon (Ken) and granddaughter Julia Moon of Silver Spring, Md.; daughter (Wendy) Jo Strom Lane (Derek) of Portland, Ore.; longtime companion Arminta Tupper; extended family members; and many longtime friends, colleagues, students, and loved ones.
Those persons wishing to give their condolences may send cards to 535 Mesa Dr. in Prescott, AZ 86303. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, commemorative contributions be made to Yavapai Exceptional Industries, 436 N. Washington Ave., Prescott, AZ 86303. A memorial service honoring Larry’s life will be announced at a later time.
posted by Heidi @ 10:38 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Let me tell you about my friend Larry Strom.
Larry had hundreds of friends. He always made me feel like I was his best friend. He was certainly my best friend.
I met Larry 20 or so years ago when he asked me to semi-volunteer to present a geometric tolerancing seminar for his students at Yavapai College in Prescott. It was the best paying job I ever had because I met the most wonderful person I ever knew.
After that seminar, Larry and I became good friends. We had lots of good times together. We rafted trip down the Colorado River, kayaked in Florida and visited ancient Indian ruins. I stayed at his house and he stayed at mine. I also met his longtime friend Arminta. We ate together, talked and laughed at the El Charro and Dry Gulch restaurants in Prescott many times.
Larry was a good cook, especially on Mexican food. I can see him now, down in the kitchen, with his apron on cooking up some fantastic meal while we shared a Dos Equis. There was always plenty of chips and El Charro hot sauce to go around. Later he found the secret recipe to the sauce and shared it with me.
I met Larry’s parents; I never met his two daughters, Heidi and Wendy, but heard a lot about them as they grew up over the years. Of course, I also heard about his granddaughter Julia. Larry was good friends with my family and it was always exciting to hear from him.
Larry was funny, he made me laugh. He always had some corny joke about something. He was a very smart person. He knew something about everything. If he did not know the answer he would know where to find it and send me 10 internet links on the subject.
Larry was a detail person. He would make a task list for all his trips. All the stops on his list would be clocked down to the minute along with alternates and options if something did not go as planned. He was amazing.
Larry was a senior member on the ski patrol at Flagstaff Mountain. He loved skiing. He always wanted me to come skiing but I never made it. I was hoping to do that soon. Larry, like me, also liked motorcycles. He had a dirt bike and a BMW road bike. We were planning a two week road trip out West and maybe to Montana this coming summer. I was planning on retiring next year and doing lots of things with Larry. He was a very good friend.
We would send each other email at least once a week, maybe twice. We would often video conference with MS messenger and just talk about nothing or his recent house renovations. I video conferenced with Larry while on a trip to India, just less than two weeks ago. It was sure good to see and talk with him. He told me about his upcoming motorcycle trip to New Mexico.
I will miss Larry terrible. His passing will leave a big hole in my life. He was a very special caring person. He loved people. I wish I could be as good a person as he was. He had a big impact on my life and made me a better person. I could call him anytime and he was there. I was planning on growing older with Larry and learning a lot more from him.
He is on my email list; I will never be able to delete his name. He will stay with me forever. He was the best friend you could ever have. I will miss you Larry.
I found out that Larry passed away by getting a phone call from my friend Judy. Judy and her husband Robert had planned to move to Prescott and in April after tax season ended, Bill (my sweetie) and I caravaned with Robert and Judy to Prescott to visit Larry so I could introduce them to Larry and make a connection for them in Prescott. The ever helpful Larry suggested they talk to Chris the-across-the-street-neighbor realtor and the suggestion was taken which resulted in Robert and Judy finding their new home.
When Chris called Judy to tell her of Larry, she called me as soon as she found out. I am devestated and can only imagine what Arminta, Heidi, Wendy, Al and Winnie must be going through.
I think of every email I've ever gotten from Larry and probably still have thet majority of them, at least back to 2004. I sent out a Reply To All email to notify all his email bcc's and was hoping everyone could be notified that way. He knew so many people!
I have pictures of him I would love to share. I have stories about him I would love to tell and I have grief I need to share with others who grieve for him.
I do not know if all of the folks on his email list (that he sent all those wonderful and quirky jokes to) know about what happened to him. For those I know and those I don't know but knew Larry, and if anyone feels inclined to do so, please feel free to email me at iasa001@yahoo.com or call (858) 342-8361 (home/cell) or write me at 2658 Del Mar Heights Rd., #269, Del Mar, CA 92014.
I want to go to Larry's Memorial whether it's in a month or a year. I feel that it is something I desparately need. Maybe you do, too.
Larry, we will all miss you so much. But, of course, you know that and I know your decision to leave was what you decided was best and appropriate no matter if the timing really stinks! You were too young to leave this earth.
We love you. You are loved. I love you.
Linda Long
Larry's secretary at Yavapai College during the years of 1986-1991
I've been fortunate enough to not only be a close friend of jo's for the past 18 years, but as close as one can get to an additional member of the strom family. It puts a smile on my face when i think about all the times i've spent with larry, arminta and jo. i loved him like my own father, and he will be greatly missed, but always remembered, in my heart. all in-n-out burgers eaten in the future will be in his honor.
I have known the Strom family for 20 years and also have been about as close as a non blood relative can be. Larry made me feel like a son. Larry would call me every 2-3 months just to check in and he always had good words for me. Jo, Heidi and Arminta will be a part of my life for the rest of my days and we will always honor Larry who was always the center of our times together. I will miss him terribly. I could always count on Larry and I will never be quite the same.
I'm sitting here thinking about you. I can't help but cry. You were taken from us all too soon! Rest in peace, my brother ... I hope that we'll all meet up again in Heaven.
Yo' bro, John
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