Lawrence Allen Van Der Hoek

Lawrence Allen Vanderhoek went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, November 3, 2025. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Larry was born in Compton, California, on March 12, 1940, to Ruby Rosalie Schumann and Elmer Van Der Hoek. Larry was an active, happy child and enjoyed his childhood with his brother Fred. Larry loved to tell a particular story from his childhood about how he tried to bring a caterpillar into the house with him one day, and his mother pointed to the door and demanded he take the filthy creature outside. Being the logical person he was, he bathed the caterpillar and promptly returned to show his mother his soap-covered friend to let her know he was no longer filthy and should now be allowed to hang out with him in the house.

Larry was a man of great adventures, hobbies, interests, and abilities. He served for 4 years in the Navy with Attack Squadron 93. He served on an aircraft carrier as a mechanic. He loved to reminisce about his time in the service and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal in 1960.

Larry was a thrill seeker and built and raced top fuel dragsters for several years, known as “smokin' junior Van Der Hoek” he was passionate about racing.

His true calling was design and construction, and he helped cultivate a small family-owned steel company, Cowelco Manufacturing, into a very successful and in-demand steel manufacturer. He developed a renowned steel split stair assembly that revolutionized multi-story building construction. He then moved to PlasTal Manufacturing, where he was a partner and worked his magic to build up the reputation and success of the organization. He received recognition and accolades for his meaningful contributions to many high-profile projects, including providing steel construction elements for the Ronald Reagan Library, the Crystal Cathedral bell tower in Orange County, and the rebuilding/reinforcement of damaged structures in the devastating Northridge California earthquake in 1993.

He was an avid motorcycle, car, and nature enthusiast. He took many once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle trips with his brother Fred and other close friends. Due to his daredevil nature, there were several trips to the hospital here and there, but as the saying goes, “you can’t keep a good man down.”

He was a meticulous man who took great care to procure and maintain many interesting collections. Anything he owned, be it cars, off-road vehicles, or firearms, they were always upgraded to the maximum with custom components that made them one of a kind, and he preserved everything with love and care.

Larry was highly intelligent, organized, and driven. He was a well-respected man of great character. He was a man who took great pleasure in helping others but would never ask for help for himself. He was a great father and grandfather who believed in exposing his children to lifetime memories of sprint car races, glider flights, shark fishing, motorcycle rides, and so many other amazing experiences.

He was a large presence with a booming voice but a kind and compassionate heart. His laughter was genuine and unforgettable. His sense of humor was a big part of his personality, and he was the greatest storyteller.

He eventually gave up the grind of work and city life for his little slice of heaven when he purchased his property in Marysvale, Utah, where he built his beautiful home along the river. He knew this would be where he would remain forever amongst the beauty and nature. He developed the property into a place of peace and tranquility that his family and friends yearned to visit and spend time with him to listen and learn. He had so much wisdom to impart, and we are all better people for knowing and loving him.

Larry is survived by his brother Fred; children Teri, Dana, Kurtiss, and Heidi; Grandchildren Christina, Domenic, Fabian, Antoinette, Taylor, Remington, Ryan, Danielle; and great-grandchildren Madeline and Penelope, and also cousin Donna Burton.

Graveside services will be on November 11, 2025, at 12:00 Noon in the Marysvale Cemetery with Military Honors.
Funeral Directors are Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti