Larry Delven Schwartzkopf was born May 12, 1949, in Liberal, Kan., to D.B. and Alice Schwartzkopf.
His father was an engineer at Mesa Petroleum, and his mother served as director of nursing at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital and Western Prairie Senior Living Center.
Larry received two years of compassionate care and support from Fred Hutch Cancer Research during his battle with metastatic prostate cancer.
He passed away peacefully at 1:26 a.m., December 25, 2025, at UW Medical Center in Seattle.
Larry was the middle child, with an older sister, Tresa, and a younger sister, Cheryl. He was raised in Ulysses, where he attended Ulysses High School and enjoyed being on the debate team. During those years, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout under the guidance of his scoutmasters — his father, Clarence Steinmetz, and Lloyd Hampton. Scouting reflected much of who Larry was: He loved rocks and fossils and valued preparation and time outdoors.
Throughout his life, Larry carried a quiet appreciation for the natural world. He loved plants, especially iris — a favorite of his mother’s — and fuchsias that attracted hummingbirds. He found peace in simple, observant pursuits: walking beaches in search of stones, noticing spider webs jeweled with dew, watching trillium return each spring, and spending time at Clint’s cabin in the Wenatchee area.
Larry earned a degree in theater and drama from Southwestern College in Kansas before moving to Seattle around 1972 to attend Bible college at Community Chapel and Bible Training Center. Seattle became his lifelong home.
In 1974, he married Sandra Graf. Together they welcomed two daughters: Deborah in 1978 and Johanna in 1981. The couple divorced in 1988, a challenging chapter in his life.
Larry began his woodworking career in Ulysses working for Mr. Melcher and continued honing his craft in Seattle. A skilled cabinet maker, his work could be found across the city — from grocery store checkout stands to boat interiors and cabinets in Seattle skyscrapers. At home, his craftsmanship was personal: he built his children’s bunk beds with the same care and precision he brought to every project.
A man of deep Christian faith, Larry was a devoted student of scripture and became an ordained minister through International Christian Ministries in 2010.
He was known for his exacting standards, dry sense of humor, and constant “dad jokes”. He faced his illness with honesty, humor, and acceptance, even joking around with his palliative care team. In his final days, he shared meaningful closeness with loved ones that will be remembered as a gift.
Larry is survived by his daughters: Deborah and Johanna; his grandson, Mez; his sister Cheryl; multiple nieces and nephews; and members of his faith community. He was preceded in death by his sister, Tresa.
Cremation has taken place. No other services are planned.
