Lawrence John Storch

Lawrence “Larry” John Storch, a deeply loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and a treasured friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, at the age of 86. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Oscar Casper Storch and Anne (Neugebauer) Storch. Larry’s life was defined by unwavering devotion to his family and quiet service to his community.

A proud graduate of Wheeling Central Catholic High School in 1957, Larry was an all-rounder, playing on the basketball team while receiving numerous academic honors and awards. Serendipitously, it was there that he met the love of his life, Francine Frohnapfel, and thus began a partnership that started as high school sweethearts over 70 wonderful years ago, and is still defined by deep love. Francine and Larry were married in 1961, the year after Larry earned his associate’s degree in electrical engineering from DeVry University and proudly completed his bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 1996.

As a young couple, Larry and Francine started out with brief stints in Boston, West Virginia, and Northern Virginia, where their household was blessed with the arrival of Mark, Tim, Kirt, and Paula. In 1968, Larry and Francine saw a unique opportunity and moved their young family to the newly planned city of Columbia, Maryland, becoming one of its steadfast “Pioneer Families” where they lived for 56 years.

Over a span of more than 35 years with Honeywell Computers and Wang Laboratories, Larry’s career evolved from installing supercomputers in the 1960s to supporting embassy software systems worldwide until his retirement in 1996. He also shared his deep technical knowledge as a computer science instructor at Howard Community College. However, it was as a pillar of the Columbia community where he felt most at home. Known on Mid Summer Lane as the neighbor everyone could count on, Larry helped without hesitation or expectation. He found great joy working as a handyman throughout Columbia and Howard County. Exceptionally gifted with tools and machinery, his talent was legendary; he was known to swap out entire automobile engines, often in a single day right in his front yard. Larry even utilized his handyman skills by volunteering through the church for Habitat for Humanity for several years. Whether it was fixing a roof, repairing a fence, or assembling a bicycle, he embodied true neighborly spirit.

Devotion to his family was absolute. Larry was a deeply present father, showing his love through unwavering support by attending nearly every game, performance, and school event imaginable. This included basketball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, swimming, track, and wrestling, as well as concerts and classroom presentations. He coached many of his children's teams, often in sports he had never played. He was always willing to lend a hand and share what he knew, whether helping with homework, patiently teaching each family member to drive, or fixing something around the house. This love and commitment to family continued even into the next generation, as Larry would endeavor to attend any and all of his grandchildren’s activities.

Larry had many a pastime: He was an avid reader, always keeping a couple of books close at hand. The kill-shot was his forte in racquetball. He loved food and enjoyed cooking, making dinners, homemade root beer and Kahlúa, and especially sweets—pancakes, cookies, homemade ice cream, root beer floats, and other treats— for his grandchildren, though he was often caught sneaking a few himself. You couldn't get him off the dance floor; the jitterbug was his favorite. Always keen to travel, he and Francine explored many nooks and crannies of North America with his close friends from high school or internationally to Europe, Thailand, or Kenya, where he went multiple times to experience the life of his daughter’s family, going on safaris and checking in on his grandsons. Lastly, Larry was a fierce and loyal Baltimore Ravens fan, never missing a broadcast.

Larry was a 56-year member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Wilde Lake and dedicated many years to singing in the church choir. At Marriage Encounter for almost 20 years, Larry and Francine fostered their love for one another and made close friends.

Larry was a loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and a treasured friend to many. He was adored by countless people throughout his life— not because he sought attention or recognition, but because he saw and appreciated every person exactly as they were. Larry had a remarkable gift for welcoming others into his heart. He loved humanity in its purest form, valuing honesty, kindness, and authenticity above all else. Larry embraced you most when you were your true self.

Above everything in his life, Larry sacrificed endlessly for his family. He lived every day with a quiet, steady devotion to their wellbeing. His wife, his children, his grandchildren, and anyone under his care always came first. Larry was undoubtedly a giver— of his time, his energy, his skills, his compassion, and his love.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of over 64 years, Francine Storch (Frohnapfel) and his sister, Carole O’Dwyer of Texas. He was the devoted father of four children: Mark Storch of Elkridge, Maryland; Tim (Paula) Storch of Carrigaline, Cork, Ireland; Kirt (Sheri) Storch of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Paula (Kurt) Tjossem of Nairobi, Kenya. Known as Papa, his legacy continues through his eight grandchildren: Alexandria Storch, Niamh Storch, Emerson (Jason) Flanagan, Chase (Maddy) Storch, Christian Storch, Caden Storch, Luca Tjossem, and Keifer Tjossem, and his great-grandson, Shepard Flanagan.

Larry will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched. His children and grandchildren will continue to share his stories and live the values he embodied.

Celebrations of Lawrence Storch’s life will be held on Friday, November 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Willows Community Room, 2722 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, North Carolina and on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 12:00 noon, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, Maryland, with a reception to follow. Livestream (WL Room 1): https://sjcolumbia.org/streaming/

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would be grateful for donations to the Lawrence Storch Memorial Fund. All proceeds will support the St. Vincent de Paul Society –St. John’s Columbia Chapter, an organization dedicated to helping local families with essential and emergency needs. St. John’s Columbia Chapter, an organization dedicated to helping local families with essential and emergency needs. https://www.givecentral.org/customizable-online-giving/501/event/45036

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Storch family.