Lawrence Robert Cartwright
Lawrence “Larry” Cartwright, 78, of Washington, DC (formerly of Charlotte) passed away on April 13, 2022, in Bethesda, Maryland of COPD and congestive heart failure.
All are welcome to join a memorial gathering at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Unionville Village Park, Pickle St., Unionville, Mich. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Camp Nebagamon Charities (cncharities.org).
Larry was predeceased by his grandparents Harry and Mildred (Morford) Cartwright, Frances “Frank” and Florence (Comment) Lenhard; his parents, Bob and Marie (Lenhard) Cartwright; and his ex-wife, Roberta (Jamsen) Cartwright.
He is survived by daughter, Sarah Cartwright; son-in-law Scott (McDermott) Cartwright; granddaughter, Shan Shan L. Cartwright of Washington, DC; and five younger sisters: Kathie (Lynn) Abke of Bad Axe, Colleen (Dave) Schoenfeldt of Macomb, Holly (Dan) Geurts of Gladstone, Bonnie (Rick) Ziesemer of Bay City, and Tracy (Paul) Kemp of Sebewaing, and many beloved niblings and cousins.
Lawrence Robert Cartwright was born on December 14, 1943, in Saginaw to parents Robert Morford Cartwright and Helen Marie (Lenhard) Cartwright. Larry grew up in Unionville and graduated in 1961 at the top of his class. He attended Michigan Technological University and transferred to Michigan State University where he graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and secondary education.
Larry worked as a counselor and administrator at Camp Nebagamon in Lake Nebagamon, Wisc. from 1962-1978. It was truly where he was happiest. As a counselor, he lived in the rough for weeks at a time. He later worked as assistant director.
Larry taught high school mathematics from 1968-1974 in Bay City, Mich., where he met Roberta Lynn Jamsen at the Bay City Players community theatre group. Larry and Berta were married March 16, 1974, in Unionville. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri for two years, during which their daughter, Sarah, was born.
He taught high school physics, photography, and mathematics in Charlotte, Mich. from 1976-2001. “Mr. C” was well-known for promoting lab science with colorful demonstrations. He was especially proud that several of his students went on to attend the US Navy’s highly selective NNPTC nuclear power program.
Larry and Roberta separated in 2012. They each moved separately to Washington, DC, to be closer to their daughter and her family. Ever the educator, Larry organized weekly cultural programs and trivia nights for his apartment community. He was an avid technologist and also self-published several novels.
He will be remembered for his kindness, acceptance, astronomy lessons, and truly stunning gardening skills. A memorial service is planned for 1:00 p.m., July 23, 2022, at Unionville Village Park, Unionville, Mich.