Leawood, Kansas
Dr. Larry Gene Enochs, 75, formerly of Corvallis, Oregon, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2015, surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Lola Collins Enochs; his children, Lanette Enochs (Andrew M.) Faw and Larry J. Enochs; five grandchildren, Levi S. Enochs, Emma E. Enochs, Grace A. Enochs, Cooper J. Enochs, and Audrey L. Enochs; a sister, Stachia (Russ) Hicks; brothers-in-law, Dennis K. (Rosie) Collins and P. Duane Collins; nieces, Cathy Hicks (Andy) Kennard, Tina (Scott) Longballa, and Peggy Collins; nephews, John (Sammi) Hicks and Christopher (Tracey) Collins; and many friends and colleagues.
Larry was born on April 30, 1940, in Columbus, Indiana. After a childhood spent collecting rocks and minerals of all kinds (including mercury, which his sister recalls spilling and hastily recollecting before he found out!), Larry decided he wanted to pursue his passion for rocks and minerals at the university level and learn to teach others about their beauty. He completed his B.S. in Earth Science Education at Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1967. Ever since listening to the radio show Halls of Ivy with Ronald Coleman, Larry wanted to be a professor.
He taught junior high school earth science after earning his teaching degree at Central in Columbus, Indiana, followed with an MA in science education in 1970 at University of Rochester, New York and then his EdD in 1982 at Indiana University-Bloomington. Larry taught at the University of Houston – Clear Lake, at Kansas State University, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Oregon State University. He served two years with NSF as a visiting scientist program director beginning in 1991. After his retirement in 2011, Larry and his family moved to the Kansas City area, where he remained active in science education-related activities with various universities and local agencies, including serving as adjunct faculty at the University of Kansas.
Larry was known as a caring and kind mentor, enjoying humor and good down-to-earth conversations. Larry was admired for his knowledge of research practices, and his desire to help others learn and grow as professionals and individuals.
He directed 24 PhD dissertations, served on an additional 27 dissertation committees, and directed 5 MA theses. In 1991, Larry received the SW-AETS Outstanding Science Educator Award, and in 2003, he received the ASTE Distinguished Mentor Award. He published over 60 articles and book chapters, and nearly 25 technical documents and evaluation reports for federal and state agencies. He was highly regarded for his ability to secure extramural funding, garnering over $6.7 million during his career.
Family and friends remember Larry for his deep caring for others, his family, the Earth and his lifelong commitment to social progress. He will be sorely missed.
A memorial service at Anderson Falls, Indiana, will follow at a later date.
Contributions can be made in Larry’s honor at the following charities:
The Nature Conservancy, Indiana (Anderson Falls): http://support.nature.org/Indiana
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: http://giftfunds.stjude.org/lgenochs
