Van Der Jagt, Lawrence
Lawrence Van Der Jagt, 89, of Simsbury, CT, passed away at his home with family by his side on November 22, 2021. Born and raised in Hawthorne, New Jersey, Larry was the beloved husband of Rose (Marenzano) Van Der Jagt for 68 years. He was the son of the late Lourens and Jennie (Van Dyk) Van Der Jagt.
From an early age, Larry displayed a great deal of curiosity for the world around him and how things worked. He was a bright and determined student, the first in the family to attend college. Following his graduation from Fairleigh Dickinson University, he began designing jet engines at the Curtiss-wright Corporation. Later he moved on to North American Rockwell where he continued his work in aerospace engineering. Next he moved to the Reaction Motors Division of Thiokol where he helped design and test the attitude control engines for the Apollo space crafts. He and his family moved to Connecticut in 1968. He was employed by Hamilton Standard and worked in a variety of roles ultimately leading to Director of Operations. As a Director, Larry successfully oversaw the construction of a new overhaul and repair facility in the Netherlands. Committed to his continued education, Larry earned an Executive MBA from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Though he greatly enjoyed his work in the aerospace industry, Larry’s true love was his family. He was a proud husband and father and delighted in his role as grandfather and great-grandfather. A kindhearted and generous soul, Larry loved to share a laugh and make memories with his cherished and growing family and friends.
Larry also found great peace enjoying nature and the outdoors. He loved fishing in the surf, deep sea fishing and vacations on the Jersey Shore. He was a keen pool player, an avid Yankees and Giants fan and would happily share a cold Budweiser with anyone. He developed a great interest in horticulture and became a graduate of the Master Gardener Program at Uconn. Later he served as its Association President. A respected and endearing man with sound advice and a good-natured sense of humor, Larry could make friends anywhere he went. He will always be loved and remembered by those who knew him, and he will be dearly missed forever.
Larry is survived by his four children, Lourens Van Der Jagt and his wife, Beverly, Carolyn Van Der Jagt, Ronald Van Der Jagt and his wife, Teri, Brenda Van Der Jagtbellott and her husband, John Paul; his niece, Karen, among other nieces and nephews, and his adored
grandchildren Derrick, Michael, Lar, Diana, Rebecca, Ron, Dana, Casey, Paul, Melissa, and many beautiful great-grandchildren. Larry was predeceased by his brother, Peter Van Der Jagt, and his sisters, Margaret Lucas and Janet Latona.
Larry’s family will celebrate a private memorial service at Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the Simsbury Volunteer
Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 301, Simsbury, CT 06070, the Farmington Valley VNA, 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06070, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital,
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The Hayeshuling & Carmon Funeral Home of Granby is in care of the arrangements. To share a memory or condolence message with Larry’s family, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.