Larry Himmelspoch

ROLLA, Mo. — Larry G. Himmelspoch of Rolla passed away peacefully Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Missouri Veterans Home in St. James at the age of 89.

He was born July 20, 1934, in Chaffee, Missouri, to the late Ardell B. and Rosalia "Rose" Eichhorn Himmelspoch-Talley.

Larry graduated from Chaffee High School in the Class of 1953. Following graduation, he attended Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau for two years. He then attended and graduated from the Cape Girardeau Office Training School.

He proudly served eight years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, during which time he was ordered to serve two years active duty in Naples, Italy, and was later transferred to Pisa, Italy. For many years following, Larry remembered sailing the Atlantic through the Gibraltar Straight, Corsica and Sardinia, to the Mediterranean Sea, stopping in Barcelona before reaching Naples.

After 30 years of service as a staff specialist for the Department of the Army in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Larry retired July 28, 1989.

Larry never met a person he didn't think of as a friend. He often hosted dinners and gatherings for both his family and his friends. He was well known for his annual St. Patrick's Day celebration.

He was an exceptional musician, and for many years he served St. Patrick Catholic Church as an organist and a pianist. His music provided a special beauty for Sunday Masses, weddings of friends and families and, in times of sorrow, funerals for parishioners and loved ones.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rolla, followed by a funeral Mass. Burial will be at Lake Spring Cemetery in Rolla.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the staff and volunteers of Missouri Veterans Home in St. James for the loving care and support given to Larry.

Cremation services were under the direction of Rolla Cremation and Memorial.