Laurence G. Holt

Laurence G. Holt (84) of Beaver died on Friday, June 12, 2015 at Heritage Valley Hospital Beaver after being a resident at Villa St. Joseph of Baden since September 2013. He was an engineer by profession and a Korean War era veteran. He was a graduate of Penn State University in Civil Engineering (1952) and a Professional Engineer in PA, OH, NJ, IL, VA, and FL and retired from Michael Baker, Jr. Inc. He managed many varied projects in the U.S. and those which took him to the Mid-East, Africa, and South America. His many affiliations and publications earned him awards including the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (Beaver County) Engineer of the Year, 1972. He also served as president of the local chapter as well as the state society. In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he taught at Ft. Belvoir, VA and in Frankfurt, Germany he worked as a resident engineer for the U.S. government. His interests were wide and varied. A Boy Scout for over 60 years, he was also a member of the Order of the Arrow and Canoe Trails, a related program. He participated in many civic activities which included the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation and Museum and other historical societies, the Merrick Art Gallery, and Habitat for Humanity of Beaver, County. A highlight of his retirement was to make three trips hiking in N. England and Wales. Classical music was a special interest that he enjoyed, and he was a prolific reader. He is survived by his wife Mary of 60 years whom he married in Ridgway, PA, their hometown, where he was born to James Carl Holt, Sr. and Mary Miller Holt. Their children and their spouses are Maj. Laurence D. Holt, U.S. Army (ret.) and Christine Holt, Marietta, GA; Elizabeth and Kurt Swanson, Richmond, VA; Christine Holt Hughes and Scott Loehr, Ballwin, MO; Ellen and Andrew Reeher, St. Paul, MN; and James Carl and MaryPat Holt, The Woodlands, TX. Grandchildren are Christian, Alexander, and Nicholas Holt; Nathan, Lane, and Jackson Van Arsdale; Nicholas and Casey, Garth, Krista and Wolf McGavran, and Logan Swanson; Benjamin and Hannah Hughes; Michael and Paige, and Robert Loehr; Katherine, Lucy, Mary, and James Reeher; and Emma and David Holt. Mr. Holt is also survived by a brother Richard and wife Barbara Holt of Grove City, PA and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 am at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church by Father Robert Miller. Interment will take place at the Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saints Peter and Paul Church, 200 Third St., Beaver, the Beaver Area Memorial Library, or a charity of choice.