Walter Lawrence Prehn

Walter Lawrence Prehn, Jr. Larry Prehn, age 83, died on Sunday, January 4th, 2004. Larry loved to travel and marveled at the wonders of nature. He mastered woodworking and culinary arts, and enjoyed sharing his talents with his many friends and loving family. Larry’s wit, humor, faith in God, and joy of life touched everyone he met. Larry was born on April 15, 1920, in St. Louis, MO. He grew up in Dallas, Texas and spent the last 21 years in Austin. He always considered himself a loyal Texan. He held degrees in chemical engineering from Rice University and Cornell University. Larry served in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II and in the Philadelphia Navy Yard during the Korean action. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander. Larry worked for ESSO Laboratories in Baton Rouge and Atlantic (ARCO) Laboratories in Dallas. He began a long career in applied economics consulting with Stanford Research Institute in Palo Alto, CA, and Phoenix, AZ, and later with Southwest Research Institute in Houston and San Antonio, and for many years on his own. Larry was active in the Rotary Club of Austin, First United Methodist Church of Austin, the AARP 55Alive Driver Safety Program, and St. David’s Medical Center Auxiliary. Larry was preceded in death by his father, Walter L. Prehn, mother, Lucille Hille Prehn, sister, Mary Virginia Prehn Craver, and his first daughter, Margaret Anne Prehn and first wife, Rebecca McWilliams Prehn. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Helen Grace Burkhart Prehn, four children: Katherine Prehn Minter and husband, Larry, of Austin, Laurel Lee Prehn Pfeiffer and husband, Daniel, of Elkmont, AL, Elizabeth Anne Prehn Hackett of Silver City, NM, and the Reverend Walter L. Prehn, III and wife, Celia, of Charlottesville, VA; three step-children, David James Terwey and wife, Sally, of Chapel Hill, NC, Kathryn Terwey Longley and husband, Dave McNeely, of Austin, and Emily Grace Terwey Yeager of Austin. Larry is also survived by ten grandchildren: Sarah and Andrew Minter, Thomas, David, and Mary Katherine Prehn, Adam, Bill, and Grace Ann Longley, Russell and Kathryn Yeager. A memorial service for Larry will be held on Monday, January 12th at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca Street in Austin. A reception will follow in the Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Larry’s favorite charities: Foundation of the Rotary Club of Austin (200 Academy Drive, Austin 78784), First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund (P.O. Box 1666, Austin 78767), or St. David’s Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Fund (919 E. 32nd Street, Austin 78705). Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811 You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com