Lawrence J. Brink

BRINK, Lawrence J.
of Kalamazoo
Lawrence J. Larry Brink died on August 10, 2010. He was born in Grand Rapids on December 8, 1917 to Gerrit and Martha Stap Brink. Larry graduated from G. R. Godwin High School and moved to Kalamazoo in 1935. In 1936 he was hired as a linotype operator by Western Michigan University. In 1940, he joined the faculty of the Industrial Arts Department. He earned a B.A. Degree from Western and a M.A. Degree from the University of Michigan. While at WMU, he started and headed the Printing Management Program, managed Printing Services, served on and chaired the Herald Publication Committee as well as several other university committees. He was a member of, and trustee for Epsilon Pi Tau Fraternity. He taught and guided both students and staff in the development and production of much of the university printing needs until retirement in 1980. He served on the Emeriti Council and was it's secretary. During World War II, Larry served as a Navy Supply Corps Officer in both the U.S. and the Pacific. He was very involved in the Kalamazoo Valley chapter of the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen. He was president of the local group in 1962-63 and held other offices and committee posts, He wrote and edited their Newsletter for 13 years. He was twice their Craftsman of the Year and was made a life member shortly after his presidential term. After retirement, he became active in the Kalamazoo Association of Retired School Personnel and edited their newsletter for 14 years. He received the MARSP Distinguished Service Award in 1995. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Larry was married in 1938 to M. Loraine Moore, who preceded him in death in 1986. He was also preceded by his brother Harold G. Brink in 1944. Surviving are two daughters, Marilyn Leighty and husband James of Grand Ledge, and Pamela Brink of Kalamazoo; a delightful group of grandchildren, Shawn Kenneth Lambracht, Christopher Leighty, Kelly Tracy Wright, Mindy Douglas Wood; great-grandchildren, Andrew and Joshua Leighty, Melissa and Patrick Lambracht, Mckenna and Landon Wright, Elizabeth and Joseph Wood; a sister, Alyce John Blaauw of Wyoming and a brother Jack Susan Brink of Edmore. Services will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, August 18 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 247 E. Lovell St. with the Rev. Mother Beth McLaren officiating. Interment in Grand Prairie Cemetery . Friends may meet the family Tuesday afternoon from 2-5 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St . In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the WMU Foundation L.J. Brink Scholarship Fund or to Kairos Dwelling. Please visit www.langelands.com to leave a condolence to the family.