"So sad to hear this only this evening. I worked with Larry in Bahrain and often sat and had a chat and a chuckle. We kept in touch after he left Bahrain and wondered why my emails were unanswered from last December. He was a kind, thoughtful man, always willing to help others and offer advice. A true mensch, I hope he's in peace and offer my condolences to his family. Pascale Davies, UK"
In loving memory of
Ladislau "Larry" Jaeger
April 9, 1946 - November 15, 2019
Ladislau "Larry" Jaeger, 73, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, died tragically and unexpectedly on Friday, November 15, 2019 while visiting his family in Houston, Texas.
Though cut short far too soon, Larry's life was an interesting and meaningful life, filled with much love for and devotion to his family, friends and community. He had a brilliant mind that he applied to his successful career, mostly at Caltex, but also to his many interests, one of which was learning languages (he could speak at least 8!). He enjoyed, among other things, music, cooking (his latkes were the best!), reading, playing strategy games, travelling, laughing at jokes, travelling some more, and attending shul services (especially in unusual places). Larry also loved Israel and his Judaism, attending services regularly. Most of all, he liked to help others, and did so without wanting or needing acknowledgement--it simply came from a good heart...and he expected nothing in return.
Larry was the son of Herman (of blessed memory) and Helena (of blessed memory) Jaeger. He is survived by his loving wife, Elsa Jaeger; daughter and son-in-law, Naomi and Michael Levy; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jennifer Jaeger; and five grandchildren, Sam and Caitlin Jaeger, and Jake, Alex and Sarah Levy. Later in life, he gained two stepsons, Jeffrey and Rodney Spitzer and their spouses Nicky and Romi; and their children Olivia, Isabella and Evie. He is also survived by his two brothers Abraham and Edward Jaeger and their families, as well as many close friends around the world.
Larry was born in Sighet, Romania on April 9, 1946 as the firstborn son of two Holocaust survivors. He was a talented math student at Scoala Filimon Sirbu Elementary School, where his brothers say he was often surrounded by high school students, who sought out his help solving their math problems, even though he was only in the 5th grade. He was also an avid reader and apparently read every book in Sighet's local library.
His family left a difficult life in communist Romania in 1962 when Larry was 16. They lived in Vienna for 8 months before finally being able to enter the United States with a refugee visa on November 8, 1962. The family settled in Brooklyn, NY, where he attended an orthodox yeshiva, followed by City College of New York, where he obtained a Chemical Engineering degree. Later, he received his MBA from NYU. While completing his studies, he worked at the New York Public Library, where he read and critiqued books. He married his next door neighbor, Erika Sabo, in 1968 and together they had 2 children, Naomi and Michael.
Larry's work as a chemical engineer took the family to live in many places, such as South Africa, New York, Bahrain, and Dallas. He also spent considerable time working in Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, India, and Australia, to name a few. During each overseas assignment, Larry not only collected fluency in new languages, but also collected lifelong friends, who loved and admired him.
Larry moved to Australia in 2013 after reacquainting with his second wife, Elsa Lobl, who was also from his hometown of Sighet. They enjoyed travelling together and recently took a memorable trip back to Romania for both a school reunion and the 75th anniversary of the deportation of Jews from Sighet to concentration camps. Larry enjoyed his reunion trips back to Sighet and was proud that it was also the hometown of Elie Wiesel. In 2017, Larry and Elsa moved to Delray Beach, Florida, where they've lived since.
Though some considered Larry a man of few words, nobody denies he was a man of many good deeds - a true mensch.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Larry's honor, please consider United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston, 9001 Greenwillow St, Houston, TX 77096 www.uosh.org or the Shul of Bellaire, 5307 Bissonnet St, Bellaire, TX 77401 www.jewishbellaire.com
Tributes
"I knew and worked with Larry in Bapco, Bahrain, and I only just heard about his passing. Although we did not work closely together he was very helpful and his knowledge, support and friendship were invaluable. . Ros and I would like to extend our belated but sincere condoleces to all family, with the hope that his friend's support will sustain them as they overcome their grievous loss. Les and Ros Winder, UK"
"I first met Larry some 30 years back in Cape Town when he was working in the Dallas Caltex office and conducting studies at the various Caltex sites. I was fortunate to again meet up with him during his time in Bahrain. Larry was a true gentleman always willing to help you and express genuine concern for you and your family. He will be sadly missed and the world is certainly a poorer place without Larry. My condolences to his family , God Bless and may his soul rest in peace."
"Larry was my direct boss and a great mentor when he used to work in Bapco during 2006-2008.. really he was a dear colleague and big brother than only a manager.. May his soul Rest In Peace.. we will miss you so much Larry.."
"How terribly sad. I?ve known Larry for coming on 30 years. SUPER smart and a top-notch chemical engineer who seemed to know everything about refining and from whom I learned a lot. More importantly, a generous, always-helpful friend. As an outside consultant for Caltex I traveled to multiple countries and I seemed to run into him everywhere! ?Thailand, the Philippines, Bahrain, South Africa? He made friends wherever he went, didn?t matter your nationality, cultural heritage, or station in life. He graciously drove me around, taught me refinery economics, and hosted fantastic dinners with an amazing assortment of multi-national friends. We?d go to a Thai restaurant and he?d speak fluent Thai to the servers; Tagalog to those from the Philippines; on and on. Larry was a true, enduring friend and the world is a better place because of him. And sadly, poorer with his departure. Rest in peace, my dear friend. Your life was a life well-lived. Rest in peace. Harry Saunders"
"I was so sad for the news of the demise of Larry. Larry was a very good friend whom I enjoyed working with in Bahrain. He contributed a lot to Bahrain by volunteering in teaching students. Though he left Bahrain he always kept in touch during special occasions. Sad to hear the way that he passed away. My deepest condolences to the Larry's family and may his sole rest in peace."
"We knew and worked with Larry in Bahrain. Very, very sorry to learn of his tragic accident. He was a very kind and helpful person, so proud of his children and grandchildren and always ready to help them and his family. Our sincere sympathy and condolences to his wife Elsa and his family at this sad time. May his soul rest in peace."
"Like Bernadette Lobo, I knew and worked with Larry in Bapco, Bahrain, and am shocked and saddened by his passing. My experience of him was that he was unfailingly helpful and generous with his time and knowledge, supportive and friendly, and we shared an interest in language(s). A true gentleman. I would like to extend my sincere and profound condolences to his family, with the hope that mutual support will sustain them as they overcome their grievous loss."
"I met Larry only once in Bahrain, but was impressed by Larry?s good heart, sence of humor, he really liked to help others. My most sincere condolences to his family for the passing of their beloved one."
"My Larry, my Dear FRIEND, You will be missed and there is no replacement. True MENSH and nothing else to say. Our sincere condolences to Larry's family. Saying in Bosnian speaks: "God takes what it needs as only good and best are around him" Earth will miss your presence ,dear Larry. I wish that your soul finds piece in the eternal gardens created by the Almighty. Ismir Gugic with Family"
"Larry is a very dear friend, a colleague, a co-conspirator. Always there to lend a helping hand. Last month he took it upon himself to solicit votes for my daughter Amanda who was in a skating show. He didn?t have to - but he did!! We were talking about getting together this December in Florida. Sadly, it wasn?t meant to be. I shall miss him but I will always cherish those once-in-a-lifetime moments we shared."
"My sincere condolences to the family. We worked together in Bahrain. He was a lovely person and even though he left Bahrain, he kept in touch with us through emails and never forgot to wish us on occasions. May his soul rest in peace."
"So sorry to have misspelled Caitlin's name in my earlier message of condolence about her grandfather. God bless all the dear Jaeger family."
"Sending love and prayers, especially to Michael, Jennifer, Katelyn, and Sam. May sweet memories and your faith see you through your time of mourning. God bless you one and all, Dianne Meyer"
"Mayer and I are extremely saddened about the loss of our very dear friend! We will miss him terribly. We wish Larry's (as we always called him Laczika) our deepest sympathy! A true Mensch and a very dear Friend! Agnes and Mayer Jacobovits"
"Larry, you will be greatly missed. Your life achievements is a testimony of the person you were. RIP."
"GREAT LOSS TO ALL OF US HIS FRIENDS. WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM. HE WILL FOREVER LIVE IN OUR HEARTS. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. CONDOLENCES TO ELSA AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY BETTY AND YOSI WEISZNER"
"My dear friend, there are not enough words to speak and tears to shed to express the depth of my sorrow. We were friends from the heart. You were there for me during my hardest times and you cheered my successes and joys. I will always miss you. My sincerest condolences to your wife and family. I cannot even imagine their pain. Rest In Peace Lacikam!! You have earned your place in Gan Exen!!!"
"I knew Larry briefly but to know Larry?s exceptional qualities didn?t require a long acquaintance. I regret very much we didn?t have more time together. My most sincere condolences to his family for the passing of their beloved one."
"Bob & I were so very sad to hear of Larry's passing. Our deepest sympathy to Larry's family and friends. He was a true friend and will be missed by all who knew him. Nancy Wirth & Bob Rindels"