Larry W. Lobdell

Larry W. Lobdell, 73, of Meadville, passed away from a brief illness, Thursday, August 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 August 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 Masters 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 Lackawana 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 over 100 countries on 6 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 life long 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, PA and Angela Lobdell of Bronx, New York; 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, August 19th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, 33353 North Main Street, Townville. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 20th at 1:00pm 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 www.roofnercollinswarrenfh.com Arrangements are in the care of Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, 33353 North Main Street, Townville., branch of Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.