Larry, as he was affectionally called, was born on November 22, 1930 in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania in Elk County to Helen (McGill) Herbstritt, and Lloyd Herbstritt. He graduated from Academy High School, in Erie, Pennsylvania where he ran track and field competing and being awarded top medals in the high hurdle events. His wife, Bernice always referred to him affectionately as, “Daddy Long Legs.”
Larry was a lover of life, his family, and all things related to athletics and sports. His love of country was also very deep. Having grown up in the Great Depression, he was part of a unique generation who were molded by hardship into what many consider the “Greatest Generation” of Americans. Larry served his country honorably in the Korean War Conflict from 1952 until 1954 as a United States Army Engineer, Sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers, 10th Engineer Combat Battalion; during this time building bridges and personnel bunkers as well as destroying enemy bridges and other military infrastructure among many other missions for the military. He received the Korean Service Medal with One Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal, completing his basic training at Fort George G. Mede, Maryland. Larry often displayed his love of country by adorning his property of over 40 years in Betzwood, Pennsylvania with American flags of which he did with great pride, especially each year on the Fourth of July.
Shortly after returning home from Korea, Larry attended college on the GI Bill. Later, meeting his lovely wife, Bernice (Gray) Herbstritt of Duryea, Pennsylvania at a Halloween Party through cousins in Erie, Pennsylvania and then he relocated with his family to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region.
Larry was dedicated to his family, working with the same division of his company for over 39 years as an engineer with Babcock, Wilcox & Company in the Bailey Controls division, later acquired by Ray McDermott, Inc. Larry specialized in large industrial boilers and steam flow systems, often doing service calls throughout the North Eastern region working with companies such as Crown, Cork & Seal, Superior Tube, Dow Chemical, and Smith Instruments. All of Larry’s customers specifically requested him on service calls because of his specialized knowledge of their systems, and his very congenial manner. After retirement in 1995, Larry continued to be in demand by several of his customers for his knowledge of their systems. He continued to consult with those companies as an independent contractor, which he enjoyed on his own time, proudly charging per diem.
In retirement he served as Chaplain for his local VFW Chapter Post 7878 in Upper Merion, PA which he enjoyed very much. He spent much of his time tinkering on his cars and maintaining the lovely home he and his wife created together. Larry greatly enjoyed playing golf with his wife and friends, was an avid Eagles fan, loved Nascar, and watching sports on Sunday afternoon in his favorite den in his final home in Betzwood, Pennsylvania.
Larry had a contagious optimism and compassion and was loved by so many and will be sorely missed by all his family members. Lawrence was preceded by his wife, Bernice (Gray) Herbstritt (d.December 22, 2004), and his first daughter Kathleen (Herbstritt) Hall (d.August 1, 2019) and is survived by his daughter, Janet (Herbstritt) Gring of Montgomery County; his son, Robert Herbstritt of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his granddaughter, Jennifer Hall of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; grandsons, Christopher Martin Gring, and Jonathan Gring of Montgomery County; and granddaughter Olivia Herbstritt of Westmont, NJ, as well as his many loving family members, extended and immediate.
Interment will be held during a Catholic Burial Ceremony, private to the family, Monday, May 18th at 10:00 am, Limerick Garden of Memories, Limerick, PA where he will be joined with his wife in eternal life.
We will always carry your memory in our hearts dear Lawrence.
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