Laurence Donald Anderson

Laurence “Larry” Donald Anderson of Crofton, Maryland passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on January 18, 2023, after a lengthy battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Larry was born in Tangier, Morocco in 1952. His father worked in foreign service for Voice of America in the U.S. State Department. Larry spent periods of his childhood in Morocco, Lebanon, Liberia, and Italy before returning to Maryland during his high school years. He graduated from Pallotti High School in 1970, the University of Maryland (B.A. in Philosophy) in 1973, and from George Washington University (M.S. in Information Systems Technology) in 1979. Larry met his wife of 47 years, Alice, in Pallotti High School, and they attended the University of Maryland together. They were married on January 17, 1976, and had four children.  Alice and Larry spent their first year of marriage in Germany while Alice was stationed overseas in the U.S. Army. Their first child, April, was born in Germany. After returning to Maryland, Larry had a long career as a computer scientist, including for the NASA Goddard Flight Center and in cybersecurity.

Larry was a tough stoical man, who was Norwegian through and through.  He had a brilliant mind and a kind heart.  In addition to reading his children and grandchildren traditional stories at bedtime, he would recite them poetry from memory.  The Jabberwocky and The Raven were particular favorites.  In retirement, he took up baking, and could make a mean almond cake.  A fighter to the end, he powered through over 2 years with leukemia, despite an initial poor prognosis. 

Larry was predeceased by his father, Donald; his mother, Nancy; and his step-mother, Kay. He is survived by his wife, Alice; his children, April Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Amy (Kevin) Chapman, and Erik Anderson; his grandchildren, Sadie Anderson and Lilah Chapman; his sisters, Kristi Bleakley and Colette Anderson; his nephew and nieces, Michael (Courtney) Bleakley, Meg (Joe) Flieger and Julia Langan; his brothers-in-law, Kenneth and Walter Langan; and his mother-in-law, Jean Langan.

The family plans to have a private celebration of life in Larry’s favorite vacation location, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.