Laurence Dehmlow, Titusville

Laurence Edward Dehmlow, of Titusville, FL entered eternal life on Monday, July 10, 2009. Born on August 30, 1920 in Windom, MN to Etta and Edward Dehmlow, Mr. Dehmlow was involved in many remarkable American achievements of the 20th Century, and leaves a proud legacy of devotion to family, country and God.

A tenacious multi-sport athlete in high school, Mr. Dehmlow played in the Minnesota State High School basketball championships in 1937.

He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1940 and completed Submarine School in Groton, CT. Mr. Dehmlow was onboard the U.S.S. Pelius on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese surprise attack brought the United States into World War II. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor throughout the war, and rose to the rank of Chief Electricians Mate.

Discharged from the Navy in late 1945, Mr. Dehmlow married Elaine Lois Peterson, also of Windom, on June 22, 1946. They were three weeks shy of their 60th anniversary when Mrs. Dehmlow died in 2006. They were proud and devoted parents who successfully passed along their values of integrity, commitment and achievement to their three children, sons, Jay and Lee and daughter, Julie. Eventually, they became grandparents to eight, and great- grandparents to two.

Mr. Dehmlow moved to Titusville with his family in 1962. Over the next 25 years he participated in the preparation and launch of nearly every unmanned scientific space mission, including the Surveyor Lunar Lander, the Venus/Mercury and Mars Mariner orbiters, the Mars Viking landers, and the Voyager deep space probes.

Following their retirements, Mr. and Mrs. Dehm low traveled widely, making extended trips to, Africa, Scandinavia, Hawaii and Alaska, along with numerous trips throughout the United States.

Mr. Dehm low was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Titusville, serving as president of the congregation and singing in the Mens Choir. He was a proud member of the Pearl Harbor Survi vors Association. Mr. Dehmlow possessed a quick wit and a keen sense of humor, which he never hesitated to exercise on all those around him. He loved to drive, which he viewed as the essential modern American freedom. He is greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 29th , at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Titusville. An interment ceremony will be held Monday, December 7, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Florida National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.