Lawrence Howard Bakken

Lab retiree Lawrence Bakken Jr. died Dec. 24 in Livermore after a lengthy illness. He was 80.

Born in Chicago, Ill. on Nov. 19, 1931, he moved with his parents, Lawrence Howard Bakken Sr. and Viola May to Minneapolis, Minn. He attended St. Thomas Military Academy in St. Paul.

He obtained bachelor's and master's of science degrees in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota.

While working a part time job at University of Minnesota Hospitals, he met Evelyn McAuley, a dietetic intern from Manitoba, who he married a year later.

He worked at Convair Aircraft Company in San Diego and taught engineering classes at San Diego State.

He attended graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley, and then worked at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore. While working at Sandia, he enrolled in evening classes at the University of Santa Clara School of Law. He graduated with a J.D. degree and was employed by a private law firm in Hayward.

He returned to the scientific field at LLNL, where he worked for 22 years until his retirement.

Bakken was an active member of Livermore Rotary and the local Chamber of Commerce. He was involved in the community groups, SIRs, and the League of Women Voters. He was appointed to the Alameda County Consumer Affairs Council. An avid reader, he also enjoyed traveling, dancing to big band music, art deco and his collection of classic cars.

A long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, he served a term as financial officer and was a charter member of a couples group.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn; daughter, Lauren (Roger) Van Maren; four brothers-in-law, David Kanatz, Douglas, Robert and Keith; sister-in-law, Beth; cousins, Gail Johnson and Paul Bakken.

Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Livermore at 2 p.m. on Jan. 14.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at First Presbyterian Church, Rotary Foundation or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.