Larry Lee Mengel

Larry L. Mengel was born on September 21, 1940, in Stockertown, PA. On April 24, 2022, he passed away in Raleigh, NC, surrounded by his family. He resided in Wake Forest, NC, at his death.

Larry was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Mengel. He is survived by his second wife, Adrienne Mengel, his daughter, Stephanie Knudsen, his son-in-law, Ken, and his granddaughter, Camille Merchant-Knudsen, her spouse, Travis Merchant-Knudsen, his stepson, Stephen Rigo, and family, and his stepdaughter, Adrienne Melick and family.  In addition, Larry is survived by his three brothers Morris, Robert and Darrell and their families.

Larry served in the US Army for 30 years and was a 1962 United States Military Academy graduate. He served as L-Troop Commander, 11th ACR (66/67). Larry earned a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University. As part of his work for the Army, Larry developed and ran simulations for the M1 Tank and the Apache Helicopter. He spent 1978 at Detroit Diesel Alison learning how civilian industry worked. He went on to continue working on the development of the M1 Tank. Larry completed his Army career as the TRADOC System Manager for the Simulator Networking Program, which was later used to train units headed to Desert Storm.

After retiring from the Army, Larry worked as a contractor serving as a liaison between industry and the military. He spent time working in Taiwan to develop their defense strategies. He closed his second career as a Program Manager for Alion Science and Technology.

Larry’s retired life was informed by the words of Jesus, who told his disciple Peter, “Tend my sheep.”  In 1996 he began a long commitment to Hardin County Habitat for Humanity. He served as President of the affiliate for six years and as volunteer executive director for another six years. In addition to building houses, he began the Habitat Restore in Hardin County and a Habitat Home Repair Program, which helped repair over 100 homes in his county. Larry served as President of the Church Council at memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown, KY, and as Chairman of the church’s building committee overseeing a wonderful expansion of the church facilities. In addition, Larry served as President of Feeding America Kentucky Harvest serving Western Kentucky. After moving to North Carolina, Larry began volunteering at the Wake Forest Restore. He was also active in the Dell Webb community volunteer organizations.

At 10:00 a.m. on May 7, 2022, funeral services will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, NC. Immediately following the service, a lunch reception will follow at Dell Webb at Traditions, 1301 Monterey Bay Drive, at Wake Forest. Please consider making a memorial contribution to Habitat for Humanity in lieu of flowers.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC. 919-556-5811

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