In Loving Memory of Larry G. Stolarczyk

Dr. Larry Stolarczyk passed away August 20, 2020 in Raton, New Mexico. Larry was born July 17, 1938 in Greeley, Colorado, to Louis and Lillian Dahler Stolarczyk. Larry graduated with a class of 28 members from Kersey High School, in Kersey, CO in 1956. He married Beverly Anne Frakes, his wife of 61 years on March 30, 1959. Larry and Bev moved to Raton, NM to join the technology company A.R.F. in 1960. They called Raton home for 60 years, raising their three children and founding the Stolar family of companies. In pursuit of his scientific dreams to better the world, Larry traveled extensively — in his words, “warming an airplane seat” for the better part of 60 years.

Larry was a scientific genius. His interest in technology began when he was young. When Larry was a teenager, he was building a radio transmitter in the basement of his parents’ home. One night Eisenhower was giving a speech to the nation and it was being broadcast over the radio. That same night Larry decided to fire up his new radio. It was so powerful, it knocked out all the radio stations in Northern Colorado and blacked out President Eisenhower’s speech. The FBI showed up wanting to know who jammed the president’s speech. Larry meant no harm, he was just exploring.

Larry was extremely proud of his university accomplishments and encouraged young adults to pursue an education, awarding scholarships to young engineering students. Larry loved finding talent from his alma maters and tech schools, giving them a chance to shine in his companies. With Bev by his side, Larry received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado (CU) in 1960, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 1965 and his Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree in Electrical Engineering with Theoretical Physics and Mathematics from NMSU in 1970. In 1975 he graduated from University of New Mexico Robert O. Anderson School of Business Executive Program in Industrial Administration. At NMSU, he was inducted into the Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society, Sociedad de Ingenieros and the Academy of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In 2007, he was named Outstanding Alumnus at the 100 year anniversary of NMSU. He received recognition for Outstanding Achievement as a CU Living Legend inducted in 2010 for setting 22 CU school and American track and field records. He received the CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011.

Larry co-founded Stolar, Inc. in 1983. For the next 4 decades his radio geophysical imaging inventions, tools that were able to image thousands of feet below the earth’s surface, contributed to safer coal mining applications and saved U.S. military lives. His tunnel detection and roadside bomb detection technologies were used on borders and in war zones to protect the United States military. The DoD stated that the electromagnetic gradiometer conceived and developed by Larry was the most important contribution to geophysics instrumentation in 100 years. Larry held more than 100 US and International patents, wrote more than 40 technical papers, and generated more than $80 million in economic revenue for the northern New Mexico community of Raton. Stolar received six R&D 100 awards for design innovation, twelve New Mexico Technology Flying 40 Awards and two New Mexico Business Weekly Fast Tracker Awards. In addition, Larry received the Space Act Award from NASA for his method for locating a concealed object.

Honoring a request from his long-time friend, Senator Pete Domenici, Larry helped develop the United States Industry Coalition (USIC) in 1994. USIC helped prevent highly trained former Soviet Union (FSU) weapons of mass destruction scientists, engineers, and technicians from migrating to rogue nations. The project created 25,000 jobs in the FSU and the US. USIC’s legacy outlives both Larry and the Senator.

Larry participated in many boards and organizations including Raton Public Service and the Raton Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow. He assisted in establishing the Domenici papers archive at NMSU. He is a life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Geological Society of America (GSA), Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEC), and the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute.

Larry was, by no means, a perfect man, but many knew him as a humble, loving, and giving man. He was a bonus grandfather, uncle, and dad to many. Children of Stolar employees were welcome to come by the office after school. Larry always had time to stop and visit with the kids in his lobby as if they were the dignitaries he hosted. Larry changed the lives of his employees and, in return, his staff gave wings to his ideas and theories. Many employees worked with Larry for decades. Each has serious stories of the positive impact Larry made on their lives. At the same time, laughter abounds as friends refer to Larry as the absent-minded professor, frequently misplacing his keys or his iPad, leaving his car door open outside the office, running out of gas, forgetting or losing his hearing aids, and even flying into the wrong airport in some foreign country a time or two. Larry was a scientific genius but was such a bad speller that he claimed he changed his name from Lawrence to Larry because he could not remember where the “e” went. Friends and 40 years of employees will forever remember Larry — and all his quirks.

Larry’s family supported him in all his endeavors. None of his successes would have been possible without their love, support, and sacrifices. Over the years, Type 1 diabetes took a toll on Larry’s health. Bev used all her nursing skills to keep him going to the age of 82. Larry was given the Catholic sacrament of anointing of the sick at least six times. More than once, the doctors called his recoveries miraculous. In 2006, Larry’s daughter Lisa, studying to be a doctor, donated a kidney to Larry giving him the gift of life. Larry’s son Jerry became an engineer and worked alongside Larry, taking his technology from the mining industry into the military world and ultimately branching off into the underground utility locating arena. While Larry was the man in the limelight, his family was the wind beneath his wings.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents as well as dear friends and mentors Jack Peryatel, Bob Allen, and Ralph Schubert. His heart was broken when his daughter Laura Anne (Lori) Stolarczyk was killed in an accident. It was broken all over again when his grandson Jedrek Stolarczyk joined Lori in heaven. Larry’s faith was as strong as his belief in science. He was looking forward to those heavenly reunions.

Larry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly, daughter Lisa Marie of Albuquerque, son Gerald Lee of Raton, granddaughter Hannah Shader and husband Sean and their children Laci Rose, Isaac and Samuel of Raton, grandson Caleb Stolarczyk and son Ronan of Albuquerque, and grandson Kees Stolarczyk and wife Lexi and their children Torielle and Sonora of Raton. He is also survived by his sister Priscilla and husband James McNeal of Ft Collins, and sister Mary and husband Cole Busha of Greeley.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 25, 2020 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home in Raton. Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be Wednesday, August 26 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:30 A.M. with Father Daniel Balizan as the celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at the Mount Calvary Cemetery. Breaking with our local tradition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no luncheon following the burial. Larry’s family knows that so many would love to be with them at this time and they would love to see you. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, attendance at the church is limited so be creative in finding ways to celebrate Larry’s life and share your memories with the family. Perhaps go fly fishing, it was Larry’s favorite pastime. Thank you for your understanding and prayers.

Larry loved introducing children to science so, in support of Larry’s passion and tradition of introducing youth to science, the Raton STEM Fund – Keeping Science Alive has been set up in Larry’s honor at InBank in Raton. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the fund.

Arrangements and celebration of love for Dr. Larry Stolarczyk are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.