Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Location: Temple Sinai
Interment: Following the Service
Location: The Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula
Dr. Lawrence J. “Larry” Sacks, 94, passed away on December 18, 2022, after a valiant seven-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Newark, NJ, son of Sadie Kobre and James J. Sacks and brother of Frances Williams. He attended Drew University, interrupting his studies to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps. and returned, earning a B.A., followed by a Masters from Penn State and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in chemistry.
He was a dedicated educator, teaching as a Professor of Chemistry at Hampton Institute and Christopher Newport University. His students found him exacting and rigorous, and most students appreciated his high standards, which benefited them as they progressed to higher education or the workforce.
In addition to his teaching, Larry was a scholar, researcher, consultant, poet, incredible gardener, and all-around fix-it man. He was also known to thousands of 6th grade science students in the late 1970s from his Science Spectrum program on WHRO TV.
While at CNU, he published several scholarly works, mentored high school students during science projects, was chairman of the Chemistry Department, was an active member of the American Association of University Professors, served as President of the Faculty Senate of Virginia, and held various offices in the American Chemical Society. He also chaired numerous symposiums and conferences in the field of chemistry education.
He conducted research at NASA in atmospheric science and created and taught a course in chemical safety for NASA employees.
Larry was also quite active in the community and contributed his many talents to local theater playing lead roles in Gilbert and Sullivan productions for Peninsula Civic Opera and the Norfolk Savoyards. He served on the local FEMA Board, as Chairman of the Newport News Human Rights Commission, and served as a volunteer with LINK of Hampton Roads, PORT, and the Virginia Living Museum for which he received a lifetime achievement award and another from the City of Newport News.
He was a devoted member of Temple Sinai for 52 years, serving in many capacities including President. After his retirement, he lectured with Lifelong Learning Society and entertained with his chemical magic show.
Larry is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth; his children: Karen Sacks, David Sacks and wife, Gunvor, and Sarah Sacks Dunn and partner, Kevin Kramm; his grandchildren: Stefanie Sacks and partner, Josh Oaster, Jake Dunn and wife, Stefana, Jeffrey Sacks, Hillary Kooistra, Emily Sacks and husband, Dan Holobeny, Hannah Dunn and fiancé, Esteban Angeles, and Jason Kooistra; and his great-granddaughter, Annaliese Dunn.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Temple Sinai, with interment to follow at the Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula at 1817 Kecoughtan Rd., Hampton, VA 23661.
In lieu of flowers, please remember Larry by contributions to the Virginia Living Museum (thevlm.org), the American Parkinson Disease Association (apdaparkinson.org), or The Dr. Lawrence J. and Ruth Sacks Endowment Chemistry Scholarship, (advancement.cnu.edu/portal/give). Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.
