Laurence "Larry" Elwood Nyquist

Laurence was known as Larry to his friends and family, Pete to his farm family, and Opa to his grandchildren.

Larry’s remarkable life began simply. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in rural Minnesota, where a naturally curious and determined young boy began a journey that would eventually take him across the world—and into the history of the solar system.

He graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Physics and Mathematics. It is there that he met Connie, the woman who would become his wife and partner for 63 years.

Upon marrying, they moved to Switzerland, where Larry continued his research at the Swiss Institute of Technology, leading to a PhD degree in Physics from the University of Minnesota. With their infant daughter Annalisa, they moved to Houston, where Larry began his career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center as a planetary scientist. It was there that their son Peter was born. The Nyquist family had the unique privilege of living near NASA in the growing culture of the space program.

Professionally, Larry went on to become a highly respected planetary scientist. His contributions became part of the scientific framework used to understand the history of our solar system. His work helped establish ages for lunar materials, Martian rocks, and asteroid parent bodies, and helped turn Apollo samples and meteorites into invaluable records of the solar system’s past. You can read in depth about Laurence's esteemed career at The Notable People Project here: https://notablepeopleproject.org/laurence_e_nyquist

Laurence is remembered by his colleagues for his modesty, integrity, precision, and willingness to help others. His motto was "Follow the Science.” He was more concerned with whether the science was right than whether his own name appeared on it. His influence was often quiet, careful and generous and he loved mentoring younger scientists.

In recognition of his lifetime of contributions to planetary science, an asteroid was named in his honor: 6625 Nyquist. It now travels around the Sun as a permanent celestial reminder of the scientist who devoted his life to understanding the worlds beyond his own.

Larry and Connie watched their family grow to include five grandchildren: David, Dakota, Sara, Kingston, and Rowan, and great-grandchild Declan. Larry's grandchildren were extremely important to him. Opa would drop everything to help them, to attend their events and basketball games, or just to enjoy showing them his garden.

Larry's deep faith was his guiding light. He led with love, was always kind, believed in serving others, and would help anyone in need. In recent years he grew a deeper understanding of his faith within his Men’s Bible Study. He was truly one of God's great servants.

Larry leaves behind not only an extraordinary scientific legacy, but a family shaped by his love, faith, humility, and steadfast presence. The generations of scientists he mentored will carry his knowledge forward, just as his children and grandchildren will carry forward the lessons and love he gave them.

From a one-room schoolhouse in Minnesota to a career at NASA and an asteroid bearing his name, Laurence “Larry” Nyquist lived an extraordinary life, and we are all better for having known him.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to:

Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, 1511 El Dorado Blvd, Houston 77062

The Meteoritical Society, c/o Cari Corrigan 12901 Lime Kiln Rd Highland MD 20777(to encourage the work of young scientists)

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, 1511 El Dorado Blvd, Houston, TX 77062, on August 29, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.