Larry Wade Virtue

Larry Wade Virtue, age 81, passed away on December 11, 2020. He was the beloved uncle of Rob Virtue, the treasured cousin of Karen and Arthur Borbolla, and the loving cousin of Isabella, Gabriella, and Arthur Borbolla III. Larry was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Mary Virtue, and his brother, Kaye Don Virtue. Larry was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio and then moved on to be a lifetime resident, for over sixty years, of Farmington Hills and Novi, Michigan. Larry graduated from General Motors Institute of Technology (Kettering University) in Flint, MI in 1961 earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He then graduated from Case Institute of Technology (Case Western Reserve University), Cleveland, OH in 1966 with a double major, earning his Master of Science in Engineering and his Master of Science in Business Administration. Larry enjoyed skiing in Colorado, performing with the Fox Run Men's Chorus as a bass singer, and was an avid golfer. He achieved a hole in one on a Friday the 13th in 2006 as a member of St. Johns Golf Club in Florida. Larry was passionate about world history, as well as, everything mechanically and mathematically connected. In 1957 he took his deep interest in mechanical engineering into a full-time career with Detroit Diesel Allison, a Division of General Motors Corporation. After thirty-one years of service, he retired in 1988. He applied his knowledge of mechanical engineering and shared his passion for it through teaching. He taught and inspired students as an instructor within the Engineering Department at both Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, OH and at Oakland Community College, in Highland, MI. He then earned a position as a faculty member within the Mechanical Engineering Department, at Lawrence Technological University from 1991 until his full retirement in 1998. Larry was a member of numerous groups and organizations including: over sixty years with the Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Lorain, Ohio, over fifty years with the Black River Masonic Lodge #786 FandAM of Ohio, over fifty years with the Scottish Rite 32nd Degrees Freemasonry, the Valley of Cleveland Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the Al Koran Shriners of Shriners International, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Society of Experimental Mechanics (formerly the Society of Experimental Stress Analysis), the Society of American Value Engineers, past president of the International Order of the Old Bastards Organization, over fifty years as a contributing member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, Delta Chi Rho Fraternity of General Motors Institute, General Motor Institute Alumni Association, past president of the General Motors Institute of Technology Alumni Association-Detroit Chapter, Multi-Lakes Conservation Association, National Rifle Association, and the United States Army Sergeant's Club as principle mechanical engineer on the design team for the original M551 Sheridan Tank and for providing operations and tank characteristics training to soldiers of the United States Army in Grafenwöhr, Bavaria, Germany. Larry was a beloved son, uncle, cousin, advocate, and mentor. Larry treated his family members just as if they were his very own children…with commitment, devotion, enthusiasm, and love. He had an infectious laugh, could always be counted on for a great joke, a classic one-liner, and had the utmost specificity with facts, information, and knowledge, but most of all Larry could be counted upon to be your best friend. It was a gift to know him and an honor to be a member of his family. Larry W. Virtue will forever be in our hearts. Services will be private due to the current worldwide Corona Virus Pandemic. Interment will be held at the Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst, Ohio on Saturday, January 23, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Larry W. Virtue '61 Scholastic Endowment Scholarship Fund through Kettering University. Please visit or call Kettering University at 1-810-762-9759. If you prefer to donate by check, please add "The Larry W. Virtue '61 Scholastic Endowment Scholarship Fund" in the memo line and mail your contribution to Kettering University Attn: Starr Cornell 1700 University Ave., Flint, MI 48504. Thank you for considering a donation in honor and in memory of Larry W. Virtue.

Larry Wade Virtue

October 20, 1939 - December 11, 2020