Dirk Laurance Large

Dirk Laurance Large of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Friday, November 10, 2017, at the age of 58. Cherished son of Darlene D. and the late Bruce Derr Large; beloved of Margaret Dunn; dear brother of Letti L. (Todd) Becker and Raja K. (Suvendra) Daggumalli-Dutta; and treasured uncle of Elsie J. Becker, Dirk T. Becker, Arunendro N. Dutta, and Rajendro N. Dutta.

Dirk was born in Bellefonte, Penna., November 4, 1959.  He was raised in Evanston, Ill., and Leola, Penna., and graduated from Conestoga Valley High School.  Dirk was active in Boy Scouts for many years.

The best labels to slap on Dirk are non-conformist and brilliantly original. Defying the expectations of high school and typical paths to job success, Dirk got a degree in filmmaking from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1986. In filmmaking, he could sketch scenes and write scripts, digging into visual and creative depths of his mind. When he decided the filmmaking career was not for him, he morphed into an innovative self-taught engineer, who tinkered and invented electronic solutions to life’s and his employers’ problems.  His workshop was meticulously organized with handwritten labels on everything.

Dirk’s activities centered around his love of passing on the knowledge he had to others.  Whether it was educating friends on the finer points of a movie’s virtues or weaknesses or mentoring several young men in the basics of the electronics field, he was ever the patient teacher.

A committed Christian, he was practical in his approach to life by being prepared for emergencies of all types. He cared for his family with gifts of safety, self-protection, and survival.  He wrapped his gifts in aluminum foil and played practical jokes.  He had a wicked sense of humor, which kept the Large family and all his friends laughing.

Dirk was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Memorials may be made to HOINA: Homes of the Indian Nation.