Charles L Stevens Jr

Charles L. (“Larry) Stevens, Jr., 84, of Topton, PA died Thursday, December 15, 2011, after a period of failing health.

Born in 1927, in Worcester, MA, son of Charles Laurence, Sr. and Florence (Hodgdon) Stevens, Larry was a 1945 graduate of Wilbraham Academy, where his father was headmaster. He then served in the US Navy, specializing in electronics. Following his military service, Larry entered Wesleyan University, where he was an orator at his 1950 graduation. He was a 1953 graduate of Harvard Law School. Larry spent most of his working life as a real-estate lawyer at US Steel (now USX) Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA, and Duluth, MN. He retired in 1986. Larry was married for 39 years to Nan (Jones) Stevens, whom he wed in 1952. Together they raised five children.

Larry was a regular blood donor for the American Red Cross. His engineering mind enjoyed tinkering with do-it-yourself projects around the house. He also loved Scrabble and duplicate bridge, The Economist and The Wall Street Journal. His childhood idol was Ted Williams, whom he saw play at Fenway Park; he was a lifelong Red Sox fan. He also loved to sing. Larry was vigorously active all of his life. He played soccer, handball, and racquetball, and jogged regularly. He spent nearly every summer of his life on his beloved Northeast Pond in Milton, NH, where he delighted in offering rides on his sailboat or catamaran. After moving to Ithaca, NY in 1992, he became an avid dancer, teaching ballroom dance at Maplewood Center of Cornell University. He enjoyed folk, contras and English country dancing, and took two dance trips to Great Britain. He was a member of the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Melanie Chadwick and Charles Agvent of Mertztown, PA; Ray Stevens of Houston, TX; Jonathan and Paola Stevens of Highland Park, NJ; Monica and Bradley White of Columbia, NH; and Paul and Yung Tran Stevens of Kent, WA. He leaves eight grandchildren. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy M. Stowell, of Durham, NC. He also leaves behind his companion of 20 years, Connie Lambert, of Ithaca, NY and Riviera Beach, FL.

The family plans a private memorial service. A celebration of life for those who knew and loved Larry is planned for summer 2012 in Milton, NH. Donations may be made to Three Ponds Protective Association, PO Box 1242, Milton, NH 03851. The Stevens family wishes to thank Woodland Terrace at the Oaks and The Lutheran Home at Topton, PA, for their care during the final months of Larry’s life.

Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Topton, PA.