Lawrence Thomas Brekka
August 23, 1940 ~ January 16, 2023
Lawrence Thomas Brekka peacefully passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023. He was 82. Born in Brooklyn, New York, August 23, 1940, to Thorwald and Edna Brekka. Larry and his brother Tom were raised honoring the value of education and hard work. Those values guided his life.
Larry Brekka attended the University of Notre Dame for his Bachelor's degree and MIT for his Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He then earned a Ph.D. in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University. He loved to learn, striving to stay abreast of cutting-edge technology. He was involved in the development of early models of the space shuttle, the international space station, global satellites, and war simulation games that were prototypes for today's video games. He had a great love of travel, and his work brought him and his family around the world, spending time in Iran, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Larry was a beloved husband, dad, granddad and uncle. His youthful attitude and love of storytelling, pets, puns, and pranks were appreciated by those who spent time with him. He was a history buff, particularly interested in the Civil War and WW II, frequenting historical sites around the country. Always up for a challenge, he completed his first triathlon at the age of 50 and joined his kids and grandkids skydiving at the age of 76.
Larry will be dearly missed. Services will be held on Saturday, February 11th at Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia. A rosary will be held at 10:00 AM and Mass at 11:00 AM. A reception will be held at Noon in the Parish Hall room. He will be interred at Fairfax Memorial Park at 2:00 PM. Larry is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 57 years, McLean, Virginia; his two daughters, Theresa (Michael) Vaccaro and Charlene (Kurt) Brock; 7 beloved grandchildren, Logan (Jess) Brock, Marilyn Vaccaro, Maria Brock (Harrison Hallmark), Tessa Vaccaro (Parker Wild), Joseph Brock, Gabriel Brock and Donovan Vaccaro; and his sister-in-law, Patricia Brekka and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Alzheimers Association (Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Association, Inc.).
Larry Brekka attended the University of Notre Dame for his Bachelor's degree and MIT for his Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He then earned a Ph.D. in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University. He loved to learn, striving to stay abreast of cutting-edge technology. He was involved in the development of early models of the space shuttle, the international space station, global satellites, and war simulation games that were prototypes for today's video games. He had a great love of travel, and his work brought him and his family around the world, spending time in Iran, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Larry was a beloved husband, dad, granddad and uncle. His youthful attitude and love of storytelling, pets, puns, and pranks were appreciated by those who spent time with him. He was a history buff, particularly interested in the Civil War and WW II, frequenting historical sites around the country. Always up for a challenge, he completed his first triathlon at the age of 50 and joined his kids and grandkids skydiving at the age of 76.
Larry will be dearly missed. Services will be held on Saturday, February 11th at Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia. A rosary will be held at 10:00 AM and Mass at 11:00 AM. A reception will be held at Noon in the Parish Hall room. He will be interred at Fairfax Memorial Park at 2:00 PM. Larry is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 57 years, McLean, Virginia; his two daughters, Theresa (Michael) Vaccaro and Charlene (Kurt) Brock; 7 beloved grandchildren, Logan (Jess) Brock, Marilyn Vaccaro, Maria Brock (Harrison Hallmark), Tessa Vaccaro (Parker Wild), Joseph Brock, Gabriel Brock and Donovan Vaccaro; and his sister-in-law, Patricia Brekka and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Alzheimers Association (Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Association, Inc.).
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Sent with love and remembrance, The Navins Family
RIP Larry. You are missed!
Mrs. Brekka, Theresa, Char, and family . I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all!