Laurence Kaehler Brink

Laurence "Larry" Kaehler Brink, Jr., 84, born on December 11, 1928, in Glendale, California, passed away January 23, 2013. He resided in Arcadia, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.

On Janurary 23, 2013, just after midnight, our dad, Larry Brink (Laurence Brink Jr.) passed away after his lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Carolyn McCarron Brink and his younger brother William "Bill" Brink. He is survived by his two sons, Stephen "Steve" Brink and Burton Brink, grandsons Brian Brink, Tyler Brink, Brendan Brink, Bob Brink, and Shawn Smalldridge.

Larry was born on December 11, 10928 to Laurence Kaehler Brink, Sr and Lucile Boyd Trenham Brink in Glendale, CA. The family moved around while he grew up, but normally ending back into the Pasadena area.

He attended then Pasadena Junior College, graduating from the Lower Division (technically Pasadena High School) in 1946 (Baseball Hall of Famer, Dick Williams was a classmate) serving in the ROTC program as well as serving in the California State Guard, which replaced the California National Guard when that unit was called into regular service during WWII. He actually was one of many who lied about their age to serve in the CSG and was discharged when the CSG was disbanded in November 1946. He continued on at PJC, (he continued to call it that despite his sons and grandson attending PCC for all time) which became Pasadena City College during his tenure, as well as enlisting into the California National Guard at this time. After his hitch in the CSG, the Korean War started and he quickly reenlisted, to retain his rate, to the CSG which was called into active service in Sept 1950. He served in Japan and Korea during the Korean War and was discharged in August 1953.

During this time, a cousin, Shari Trenham, introduced Larry to one of her Delta Delta Delta Sorority sisters, Carolyn McCarron, who became an architect, and they were married on November 2, 1957. The couple lived two years in the San Diego Area before returning to Los Angeles and their oldest son, Stephen was born in 1960. Three years later, Burton was born while the family lived in Baldwin Hills' historic Village Green which included the infamous Baldwin Hills Dam failure in December 1963.

In 1967, the family moved into their home in Arcadia designed by Carolyn which they landscaped the entire yard themselves. They lived in their home the rest of their lives. He was active in his kids' activities including Indian Guides (His name was "Bald Eagle" which was apropos), Scouts, attending his kids' sports games and school activities, and chauffeur.

Larry reeceived a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo after attending UCLA and PCC and worked in the air conditioning/refrigeration/heating industry for many years and was active in ASHRAE, including serving as its president for one term. He worked for National Refrigeration, McCray, Coldtemp, Arden-Mayfair, Hill Refrigeration, Pameco Aire, as well as teaching refrigeration principles at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Those of whom that worked for my dad had nothing but good things to say about him.

Larry enjoyed travelling with his wife Carolyn and her identical twin sister Marilyn McCarron Urmston as they traveled on several tours of Europe, Canada, various parts of the US, The running joke was the Marilyn and Carolyn would pick a place to travel and bring along Larry to carry their bags. He also enjoyed camping with the family, which continued throughout his life.

In 1992 he became a grandfather and once again helped step into roles as watching the kids after school, taking them to doctor and dentist appointments, practices and ballgames. The kids loved their grandpa and he relished in being Grandpa.

He was a Master Mason, served as Worshipful Master for old Henry Knox Lodge #662 in the early 1970s (which is now Wisdom Lodge #202), and was active with Al Malaikah Temple and serving in its Guard Unit as well as the Royal Order of Jesters.

Since the death of his wife, Carolyn in 2011, he was still able to travel with his sons and grandsons and visited places like Yosemite, Carlsbad Caverns, wine tasting in Central California, Canyonlands, Arches, Pikes Peak, Grand Canyon, WIN System campouts, Arizona, and even visited the USS Midway. He also attended the Indianapolis 500 last May including the Parade and some of the local sites in the Indianapolis area with the Al Malaikah - Murat Shrine.

He was also a Ham Radio operator KC6WVM.

If anyone who knew my dad would know what a kind and gentle man he really was.

He will be missed by his friends and most importantly, his family.





Thank you to everyone for their love, prayers and support.

God bless you all.

Burton Brink.
Steve Brink