Larry W. Lobdell

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August 17, 2012

Larry W. Lobdell

Anonymous Meadville Tribune The Meadville Tribune Fri Aug 17, 2012, 11:25 PM EDT

MEADVILLE — Larry W. Lobdell, 73, of Meadville, passed away from a brief illness, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born April 5, 1939, in Little Cooley, a son of Burnell Lobdell and Lillian Hamilton Lobdell. He married Gail Barton on Aug. 29, 1958, and though they subsequently divorced, they maintained a close and loving relationship.

He was a 1956 graduate of Townville High School, he received his bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1969, and his master’s in civil engineering in 1975.

Larry had many different career paths in the beginning of his life. He worked as a dairy farmer and on the Erie Lackawanna Railroad (while attending school full time with three children at home), a surveyor and a civil engineer working on many large dams, mines and other projects. After becoming a civil engineer, Larry worked all over the world spending time in more than 100 countries on six continents and was fluent in many different languages. Most recently working on copper mines for P.T. Freeport, in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, and Ivanhoe Mines in Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia. There he made many lifelong friends and developed a love of the culture. After semi-retiring in 2009 he continued to consult in his area of expertise on projects all over the world.

Known for his generosity, charity and genuine concern for others, Larry will be remembered as a man that always put everyone else first in his life. He had an incredible work ethic in which he instilled in his own children. No matter how busy life got for him, he always made time for his family.

After earning his private pilot’s license, he owned and enjoyed flying several different planes over the course of his life. He also enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, researching World War II, reading and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. Larry enjoyed life as if it was an adventure, and passed that passion on to his children.

He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, United States Committee on Large Dams, American Society of Highway Engineers and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

In addition to his former wife, Gail Lobdell of Townville, he is survived by two daughters, Melissa Ferguson and her husband, Greg, of Harrisville, and Angela Lobdell of Bronx, N.Y.; three sons, Terry Lobdell of Townville, Barry Lobdell of Townville and Vera Lobdell, and Joseph Lobdell and his wife, Kelly, of Meadville; four grandchildren, Andrea Martinson of Meadville, Tyler and Lacey Lobdell of Cambridge Springs, and Sophia Lobdell of Meadville; two brothers, Bernard Lobdell and his wife, Nancy, of Centerville, and Lane Lobdell and his wife, Beverly, of Centerville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Ariel Lobdell.

Family and friends are welcome to call on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, 33353 N. Main St., Townville. The funeral service will be on Monday at 1 p.m., with Greg Ferguson, son-in-law of Larry, officiating.

Burial will be private in Kingsley Cemetery, Townville.

Donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice in Larry’s memory.

Please take a moment to share a memory, condolence or to order flowers for the family on Larry’s Book of Memories online at roofnercollinswarrenfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, 33353 N. Main St., Townville., branch of Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc.

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