OBITUARY Lawrence “Larry” N. Witte October 8, 1940 – October 2, 2018 Lawrence “Larry” N. Witte, 77, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 in Haslett, Michigan. After graduating from Michigan Technological University in Houghton MI in 1962 with a degree in Civil Engineering, Larry began a long and very productive career. He started by working for the Department of the Army in St. Paul MN as a civilian employee of the Army Corp of Engineers in the lock and dam program and in flood control on the Mississippi River.
After 5 years he moved to Lansing in 1967 and worked for the Water Res Commission which later became part of the Michigan Department of Natural Res. He became Chief of Land and Water Management. For 2 of the 31 years he worked there he was part of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
He was most proud of his part in writing the flood plain control act. He ended his career as chief of the Land and Water Management Division. Along the way he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
He was a Registered Civil Engineer for his entire career and a lifelong member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He devoted many hours to his job and was highly respected in the work place. He retired in 1998.
Throughout his life he grew up hunting and fishing. After retirement he and Joanne began their big game hunting exploits. They traveled to Africa 8 times where they hunted both plains game and dangerous game.
There were also trips to Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, Newfoundland Mexico and all over the United States. They hunted for muskox with the Innuits 400 miles south of the North Pole. During this time they were active members of Safari Club International belonging to 3 chapters—Michigan, Mid-Michigan and Lansing Area.
They led a very adventurous and active life but Michigan deer hunting remained Larry’s favorite. Even during the 2 ½ years Larry was sick and unable to hunt he maintained his interest and was instrumental in arranging a deer hunt and a boar hunt for the physically challenged son of one of his caregivers at Brookdale Meridian in Haslett. Larry was devoted to his family and spent many happy hours with his children, step-children and grandchildren.
He of course introduced those so inclined to hunting. He became especially close to his children as they grew older and counted on him for advice. He was much loved by his family and will be terribly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wheeler Witte and Ann Witte; his first wife, Luella Larson and his granddaughter, Katherine Grundy. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Joanne; his children, Laura (Mark) Carman, Loren (Melissa) Witte; his stepchildren, Karen (Gordon) Wenk, Janice Grundy and Bill (Barbara) Clock; his grandchildren, Owen Witte, Morgen Witte, Ian Wenk, Erin Wenk, Jim (Courtney) Grundy, Caitlyn Clock, Hayley Clock, and JR Clock; his brother, Douglas (Debbie) Witte; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 11am at Williamston United Methodist Church, 211 S. Putnam St., Williamston.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and on Sunday, October 7, 2018 from 2pm to 4pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. , East Lansing. Memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s honor to Hospice of Lansing, 3186 Pine Tree Rd.
, Lansing, MI 48911 www. hospiceoflansing.org, Lansing Area Chapter of Safari Club International Handicapped Youth Hunt, PO Box 72, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 lansingsci.com/ or Williamston United Methodist Church Elevator Fund, 211 S. Putnam, Williamston, MI 48895 williamstonumc.org/ Memories and condolences may be shared at www.
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