ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Larry Sharpf. We will love and remember him forever. We look forward to the day that we will reunite with him for all of eternity in heaven.  Please click on the LIFE tab to view his obituary.  

"I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." ~ John 11:25-26

Due to circumstances in our world today, this will serve as his ongoing Memorial Service. Please leave a tribute!

Thank you for visiting our page and to all who have been so supportive. We are blessed!
February 17, 2022
February 17, 2022
Happy Birthday, Dad! Surely there is a big party in heaven today and I hope you got to tell your best stories. I think about you not just on your birthday but every day! I miss you so much but I am rejoicing that you are with our heavenly Father! Praise! Until we reunite….hugs!
February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
Uncle Larry,
We love you, Your life work achievements and generosity to others is unmatched. You claimed Jesus Christ as your savior.
You will always have a special place in our hearts.

Love,
Todd, Lisa and Sarah
February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Uncle Larry!

   Words fail to express how deeply missed you are by your family and dear friends.
  I am so very thankful for the time we were able to spend together and for all of our chats—both serious ones and others light-hearted and full of laughter. You always had a great story to share and a priceless joke to accompany it. These are moments and conversations that I will forever hold dear.
  Your relentless faith and love for the Lord was so evident. You can see your heart in everything you had done. The way you loved, served, led, coached, and encouraged those around you will never be forgotten.
  You are deeply missed, cherished, and so very loved.

Love,
   Alex
  
  
February 17, 2021
February 17, 2021
Your life was a blessing.
Your memory a treasure.
You are loved beyond words.
And missed beyond measure.

Happy Birthday Uncle Larry!
Cheers to a life well lived.
February 17, 2021
February 17, 2021
I was blessed to have Larry as a dear friend for most of my adult life. To say that he was an amazing person would be an understatement. I admired his quiet dignity, and I was humbled by his intelligence and his instincts. When my life was in turmoil, he was there for me. I truly loved him, and shall never forget him.
February 17, 2021
February 17, 2021
Dear Brother,
Thank You so much for being a wonderful brother, confidant, and truly a good friend. In all our years together we always found time for each other and our families. The times were very memorable.
You had a wonderful life, an amazing career, and blessed so many in your path.
I will forever cherish our time together.
I will fondly and lovingly remember it always.

God Bless You
God Bless Your Spirit

Happy Birthday
Love, Nancy
February 15, 2021
February 15, 2021
Larry was an incredible partner to our entrepreneurship efforts at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. His dedicated support over the years allowed us to accomplish numerous initiatives that impacted the lives and futures of so many students. His name will be emblazoned on many of those initiatives as a tribute for us to preserve his legacy and his memory. I have no doubt that Larry's spirit will always remain with us! For that I will be eternally grateful.
February 13, 2021
February 13, 2021
Our deepest sympathy is with Larry's family and friends. We have been "Canadian" friends for almost 30 years and have felt blessed since the first time we met. He is truly one of a kind that made our lives better just by knowing him. Larry's wisdom, stories and contagious laugh will forever be with us.
February 10, 2021
February 10, 2021
Those we love don’t go away .
They walk beside us every day....
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.

February 9, 2021
February 9, 2021
Dad,
For the many times you made me proud and blessed to have you for a father, I am thankful. Remembering all the happy times singing, story telling, watching our home movies, board games, puzzles, card playing, airplane and road trips. I am fortunate to have had a happy childhood. All the times spent at Dairy Queen, Tebo's, Pietro's, Lake Oswego Grill, Old Country Kitchen and Beaches. Oh how I will miss all of those meals together. I grew up hearing you sing, especially during long car rides. I could never sing as good as you, yet I sing daily. I know I got my joy of singing from you. You taught me to be patient, respectful, thankful and all about the joy of giving. You also taught me to be independent and how to take care of myself. For all of these things and more, I will always be grateful. I will forever cherish the memories of our times together. I am comforted knowing exactly where you are. We shared a wonderful past and will also share a glorious future together in heaven. Until then, I picture you having the time of your life, maybe singing a song and telling a story or two. God blessed me with an amazing father like you and I am eternally grateful. Thank you dad so much for everything. I love you always!
-Debby
February 9, 2021
February 9, 2021
Jenn,
Your Father had an unimaginable influence on Linda and me when we lived in Oregon in the late sixties, continuing through the 70's and again when we moved back to Oregon in 1989.
Some of my very favorite memories of Larry and your Mom were when your family, my family, and the Lasker family had more energy than money. We made the best of what God was leading us to do, and had many somewhat weird, but very enjoyable adventures; working together at PCC, attending church at Milwaukie, OR., Square Dancing with the Oakie Doaks. four-wheeling at the Oregon Coast, traveling to Crater Lake, camping in the foothills of Mt. Hood, and eating at our favorite ethnic restaurants in Oregon.

In summary, all three families went our separate ways as was typical of 20th century technical professionals. But the "Good Old Days" are still with us. All three families helped each other when needed. May God be with all of our families, just as God supported us our entire lives.

Thanks be to God,
Larry Sink (and my continuing love for my Angel wife, Linda, who died April 14, 2020).
February 9, 2021
February 9, 2021
We will never forget the generosity, kindness and love Uncle Larry shared. We had fun visiting in person and on the phone. He always told us jokes and stories that would make us laugh. His strong faith and presence in our life was a gift. He will always be “forever missed”.  Thank you Uncle Larry!  We love you!
Love, David and Lynn ♥️♥️
February 9, 2021
February 9, 2021
Larry generously shared his time, talent and resources with Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. It was a privilege to steward that relationship, and we maintained our friendship well beyond my Kelley tenure. His wisdom and humility inspire me - now and forever. Thank you for everything, Larry!

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Recent Tributes
February 17, 2022
February 17, 2022
Happy Birthday, Dad! Surely there is a big party in heaven today and I hope you got to tell your best stories. I think about you not just on your birthday but every day! I miss you so much but I am rejoicing that you are with our heavenly Father! Praise! Until we reunite….hugs!
February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
Uncle Larry,
We love you, Your life work achievements and generosity to others is unmatched. You claimed Jesus Christ as your savior.
You will always have a special place in our hearts.

Love,
Todd, Lisa and Sarah
His Life

Larry K. Sharpf ~ February 17, 1938 - February 1, 2021

February 7, 2021
Larry K. Sharpf went home to be with the Lord peacefully on February 1, 2021 in a Palm Springs, California hospital with his wonderful caregiver Nina Dunav by his side. He is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Orstad and her husband Mike; and Jennifer Herndon and her husband Mark; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two sisters, several nieces and nephews and many loving friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother and second wife. He resided in Vancouver, Washington and spent winters in Palm Springs, California. He was 82 years old. 

Larry had a full and very successful life.  He was born February 17, 1938 in Peru, Indiana to Norma and Lewis Sharpf. He married Beverly Schaub in the summer of 1958. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 1962. They had two daughters together.  His career moved them from Indiana to Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, California and back to Oregon. He was dedicated, driven and worked hard in his career to provide for his family.

 He worked at Union Carbide, Precision Castparts, W.R. Grace and Teledyne Castparts.  After leaving Teledyne in1982 he established a consulting business, Selmet (short for Sell Metals).  One of Selmets first clients was REM, a distressed metals casting company in Albany, Oregon.  He bought REM and reopened its doors as Selmet.  Selmet became a state of the art investment casting foundry which manufactured parts for a variety of programs including the Boeing 737, Airbus A320, and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.  His leadership helped Selmet produce the worlds first titanium golf club in 1987. The company started with 18 employees.  Larry grew the company to over 500 employees before he sold to Blue Point Capital Partners in 2011. Selmet is still operating today.

In 1988 he married Barbara Alderman.  They lived in Central Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.  They shared their love of entrepreneurship and started their own property company Selpro (short for Sell Property).  Larry cared for Barbara in her battle with Alzheimers religiously by her side every day.  Barbara went to be with the Lord in February 2016.  

 Larry was awarded the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and the Kelley School of Business Alumni Association on May 17, 2017.  

Larry loved sports. He played basketball, football and baseball in his high school years and continued to follow sports teams the rest of his life. He golfed, fished, square danced, played cards and even skied in the Pacific Northwest.  He could tell many tales of his childhood, siblings, college years, career years, sports and life.  He loved to engage with others and tell stories. He also enjoyed the slot machines at the casino in his later years.  

Larry was a Christian and loved the Lord. He loved his family and his friends. He often said the Lord blessed him with a good and successful life and career and he wanted to pay it forward.  He gave generously to his church, family, alma mater Indiana University, friends, employees and even neighbors. He donated to the Entrepreneurship program at IU and also to Alzheimer research at IU School of Medicine.  

Larry always had a love for people and helping others. In 2018 he started the Larry K. Sharpf Educational Scholarship Foundation.  The foundation was created to give back to Albany and surrounding communities that helped and so generously gave their time to the success of Selmet.  The foundation awards college scholarships to students that may not have the financial ability to fund their dream of going to college.  He referred to it as a “gift”.

We have had the tremendous blessing of knowing and loving Larry and we will continue to learn from him moving forward.  He will be forever cherished and missed.  We stand on God’s wonderful promise that we will reunite in Heaven for all of eternity. 

 “Death is no punishment to the believer: it is the gate of endless joy.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

I am proud to say Larry K. Sharpf was my dad. ~ Jennifer Herndon  


“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” ~ Isaiah 40:31

In memoriam, we ask that you visit lksscholarship.org to donate to his Foundation to keep his “gift” alive.  Thank you. 




Recent stories

The Company Car

February 17, 2021
After hearing Uncle Larry's stories and jokes for years, I felt satisfied that I'd heard them all.  It was not until a November 2019 visit to our home that this one came out.
Grandpa Sharpf had a service station in Peru,Indiana.  The entire family participated in the work effort.  One Sunday Grandma and Grandpa went to Church.  That left Larry and Allen in charge of the business.  Explicit instructions were given as to what needed to be done on this particular Sunday. 

The Note Said...
1. Clean and wash all service bays.
2.  Restock and clean bathrooms.
3.  Sweep entire front of the station and empty all garbage cans.
4.  Go over to Eikenberry* and get "The Company Car" for it will need to be detailed from top to bottom, stem to stern.  Do this IMMEDIATELY as they have a pick-up at 2:00.

So Larry scurried over to Eikenberry and picked up the vehicle. He was back at a moments notice.  The third employee* was running late for his shift this particular morning.  So Larry and Allen started the job. Scrubbing, polishing, dusting and cleaning they did.  The third worker* showed up and all that was left was to vacuum the "car".  Larry looked at Allen and said follow my lead... They told the new guy* they'd been toiling for hours (probably 30 minutes) and could he finish.  Sure, he replied.  Larry had told Allen to get in the back....and here...cover yourself with this sheet.  He did.   So newbie* opened that huge back door of the "CompanyCar" and climbed in with the hose to start vacuuming.  A few moments later Allen reached out from under the sheet and grabbed the guys arm.  Seconds later they saw him running down Broadway St. screaming.  He hasn't been seen since.

Upon returning from Church Grandpa asked......How'd it go?  Great Dad....great!  Grandpa looked around and said.... Hey??? Where's (so and so)*?  Oh! Larry piped up....he never came in....


A few footnotes.....the other employees' name has been withheld as everyone is sure he's STILL in shock.
Eikenberry was the local Funeral Home

Golfing with Larry...a lesson in life.

February 17, 2021
There's a highly anticipated golf match between four very competitive friends. It is a "team" competition. Bragging rights for the winners are going to last for years, and the losers will be reminded that they lost, forever. It is to be a competition of epic proportions.

The stage is set at Colwood Golf Couse in Portland, Oregon. The teams are: Larry Sharpf and Denny Lowe...vs. Tom Allen and Don Wallen.

The match is "best ball", meaning the lowest score shot on each hole wins that hole, and the losers of each hole can double the bet amount if they so choose. The first hole was played for $5.00 due each player on the winning team. If the hole is won with a birdie, (one under par), the payoff on that hole is double. The bet amount was of course doubled every time someone lost a hole, so the amount being wagered was substantial by the time the 18th hole was reached. I don't recall exactly, but it was in the neighborhood of $300/$400 each...possibly more.

On the 18th hole, a difficult par four, Don Wallen and Tom Allen each hit perfect drives down the middle of the fairway. I then step up to the tee and proceeded to and hit my drive out of bounds. I tee up another one and hit it out of bounds....meaning Larry was left to battle the other team on his own....two against one.

Don Wallen and Tom Allen could be best described as "giddy" as they were confidently romping up the fairway. They were repeatedly and loudly  chanting "When the going gets tough, the tough get going", and were "high-fiving" each other every few minutes.

I felt terrible, and wanted to throttle the two of them right there on the spot, but Larry didn't say a word, nor did he change his expression, which in hindsight should have concerned the other guys.... but they were too busy congratulating themselves on what they thought was a sure victory.

Tom Allen's second shot was on the green, although a long way from the pin, and Don's was near the edge of the green. Larry had played the hole carefully, since he was our only chance, so his second shot left him about 125 yards from the green.

The chanting and the "high-fiving" on the green had become louder and even more annoying, when Larry calmly took out his 9 iron, stepped up to his ball, hit it a mile into the air..... and it flew right into the hole!

It was the thrill of victory....and the agony of defeat. There was immediate moaning and groaning from the high-fivers...shock and disbelief was tantamount.

But here's the punch line...the lesson in life, Larry didn't change his expression, nor boast, nor in any way change his demeanor. I would've been still whooping and hollering if I'd have done that....after all, it was the golf shot of the year, at the perfect time, and in the perfect scenario, but Larry was Larry....... Wise and confident....and a winner. 

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