Lawrence (Larry) Gene Kuncl, 74, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Columbus after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease for 18 years. He and his wife were active in increasing awareness, promoting research and supporting families with individuals affected by this neurological disease. He will be remembered for the way he lived his life, not for the way he died.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 22, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus with Pastor Tim White officiating. There will be a private family burial. The family will visit with friends at the Fireside Room at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to ALS in the Heartland / 1320 South 119th Street / Omaha, NE 68144 to build awareness of this disease and to support other individuals and families with ALS.

Larry was born in Prague, Nebraska, to Ernest T. Kuncl and Agnes (Frana) Kuncl. He spent his summers collecting butterflies and fishing. He graduated from Prague High School.

He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he met Sharon Gerdes. Larry graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961. Larry married Sharon on December 27, 1961, in Beatrice at St. Joseph's Church.

Larry began his career as a Reactor Engineer for Phillips Petroleum Company in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1961. In August 1962, he and his wife moved to Chicago where Argonne National Laboratory employed him from 1962 to 1968 as a Reactor Engineer Facility Supervisor. Larry completed his MBA with emphasis in personnel management from the University of Chicago in 1969.

The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) offered Larry an opportunity to move back to Nebraska. He spent the next 27 years working for NPPD. During his tenure at NPPD, he managed the project to create Gerald Gentleman Power Station by Sutherland, NE. He was later responsible for NPPD's nuclear division for seven years and environmental division for five years. Upon retirement Larry wanted to give back to the company who gave so much to him and brought him back home. He was elected two consecutive six year terms representing NPPD District 9 from 1997 through 2008. He was President of the NPPD Board in 2007.

The couple had three children; Corbin, Becky, and Millie. Larry participated in his children's activities by assisting with Boy Scouts, coaching sports teams, and was President of the Columbus High School Girls' Basketball Booster Club. He enjoyed Toastmasters, Rotary, and Dance Clubs and even acted in the local community theater. For many years he and his wife belonged to dinner clubs and bridge clubs. He had a passion for the outdoors and often fished and hunted with family and friends. He was particularly fond of fishing in western Nebraska and Canada.

Larry was quite creative. In retirement, he painted landscapes and modern art. He took up woodcarving, creating nativity sets and wood ducks for family and friends. He enjoyed traveling. He and his wife traveled to all 50 states, Canada, China and made several trips to Europe.

He is survived by
Wife: Sharon Kuncl of Columbus, NE
Son: Corbin L. Kuncl of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Becky (Craig) Andreasen of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Millie (Troy) Long of Omaha, NE
Six grandchildren: Nicole Kuncl, Tyler Andreasen, Luke Lawrence Andreasen, Jake Long, Clara Long, and Reva Long.
Brother: Ken (Joyce) Kuncl of Prague, NE
Brother: Richard (Betty) Kuncl of Berryville, AR
Brother-in-law: Larry (Mary Ann) Gerdes of Grand Island, NE
Five nieces and one nephew

He is preceded in death by
Parents: Ernest and Agnes Kuncl
Father-in-law and mother-in-law: Ted and Mildred Gerdes
Brother-in-law: Wayne R. Gerdes
Nieces: Reva Jean Gerdes and Sharon Lee Gerdes