Larry's father was with the Nebraska Highway Patrol, thus they moved extensively until they moved to Lincoln in 1941. Larry graduated from Lincoln Teachers' College High School where he participated in sports and numerous school activities and organizations. Larry went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska in 1959 with a B.S. degree in soil conservation and from the University of Kansas in 1961 with an M.S. degree in zoology. Larry was a member of the U.S. Antarctic Research Program in 1961 and worked in the Dry Valley Region of the Royal Society Mountain Range. Upon his return to the States, Larry served as an officer in the U.S. Army. Larry spent most of his professional career with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, serving as a Fisheries Research Biologist, Federal Aid Administrator, and Administrator of the Budget and Fiscal Division. Larry enjoyed all sports, hunting and fishing, furniture repair and restoration, wood carving, yard work, bird watching and feeding, and spending time on his farms near Syracuse and Bennet. Larry was an avid reader of subjects pertaining to nature, military history and Native Americans.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his two daughters, Betty J. Zajicek; step-grandson, Anthony Pernice; special friend, Connie J. Kubat; and his long-time friend and hunting and fishing partner, William Janssen. He is survived by his daughters, Lisa R. Walker and Lori N. Witt; grandchildren, Christopher J. Walker and Lindsey N. Witt; stepdaughter, Valerie (Phil) Pernice; and step-granddaughter, Alexandra Etayo; former wife, Connie J. Witt; long-time significant friend, Fran Rouzee.
A memorial service to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:00 am at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. Memorials may be made to the Capital Humane Society of LIncoln or to The Church of the Holy Trinity, 6001 A. Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.
