Lawrence Reierson

Obituary of Lawrence Reierson

It is hard to summarize a life lived as fully as Lawrence Reierson’s who died March 7, 2021, at home in Monterey. Born February 27, 1934 and growing up in Elsie, a small logging community in the Nehalem Valley of Oregon, Larry was one of six children (four older sisters and one younger brother). His early education was in a one-room school. A crack shot, Larry hunted elk and deer learning basic life skills that helped feed the family during the Depression. Spearing salmon in the Humbug Creek and picking elderberries provided supplement to their diet. His Uncle Albert, living in a shack on the Reierson homestead, made his living as a bootlegger. He was full of intriguing stories. When Larry was a teenager, bragging to his uncle about soon becoming “a loggin’ man like my Pappy,” Uncle Albert said, “Look here you little s__t, you get the hell out of here; you don’t belong here. You have more to offer!” Although very confused and disheartened at the time, Larry would soon find it would be some of the best advice he ever got.

After getting over the shock, Larry joined the Navy. He served in the Korean War and when discharged went to work for Tektronix, as an electronic technician – a skill he gained in the Navy. He never graduated college but was admitted to a Master’s Program in Organization Development at Pepperdine University based on his life experience. His first marriage ended in 1969 after 12 years. He is survived by one step-daughter, Candalee, and 2 biological children, Careen and Lorrie. His step-son, Lonnie, predeceased him in 2010. There are 4 grandchildren and one god child, Rabecca Hand.

Leaving Tektronix after 20 years, he went to work for Weyerhauser in management development, shifting to Pro-Log, a Monterey electronics company, becoming General Manager where he liked to say his real job was keeping the owners from killing each other. By this time he had remarried; this time successfully to Star Van Valkenburgh. They were happily married for 52 years, completing projects including building an off-the-grid house in Boulder Creek, California. Leaving Pro-Log in 1986, Larry started a management consulting company, Saltwater Institute. This job required extensive traveling in the US, Europe, and Asia training executives of the Fortune 500 companies in techniques to better manage their companies for employee satisfaction and company success. Larry, a natural people-person taught leaders how to “make organizations safe for humans.”

In retirement, Larry continued to be active in community organizations serving on the board of Kernes Pool, as a member of St Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, and as President of his home owners’ association, where his skills in management proved useful. Larry mused frequently how unbelievable it was for a logging camp kid to end up as a corporate executive and international management expert. He enjoyed playing his guitar, owning a 1960 Corvette, and writing poetry. He was quick to smile, to laugh, and, mostly, to listen.

Donations in his memory may be made to Kernes Adaptive Aquatics, 18 Portola Ave, Monterey, CA, 93940. https://www.kernespool.org/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lawrence Reierson, please visit Tribute Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for Lawrence
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Healey Mortuary and Crematory
Share Your Memory of
Lawrence