Lawrence Lee Pattee, 90, passed away at home on November 2, 2025, in the presence of his family. He was born on August 13, 1935, on a farm outside of Avoca, Iowa, the youngest and last surviving child of William and Alma (Rock) Pattee’s seven children.

Lawrence grew up on a farm, which instilled a love of nature, an appreciation for hard work, and a strong sense of community, faith, and family. He graduated from Avoca High School in 1953. Lawrence went to Tarkio College, in Tarkio, Missouri, where he met his wife of 68 years, Lavina (McKee) Pattee. Larry played football, basketball and ran track, earning 11 letters in college and was named Man of the Year for his graduating class. Larry and Lavina graduated from college in the morning and were married in the afternoon in the same building on May 21, 1957.

Larry spent one year in the Army before finishing his service to the country as a high school teacher and coach. Larry was an educator – a teacher, coach, and school administrator – his whole life. He received his M.S. from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. He taught and coached at Rock Port High School in Rock Port, Missouri, and at Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He returned to teach and coach at Tarkio College before joining the administration as the Dean of Students, and eventually serving as interim president of the College.

In 1979, Larry moved his family of seven to Dubuque, Iowa, where he taught and was an administrator at the University of Dubuque. He was interim Dean of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. In 1993, he and Lavina moved to Alexandria, Egypt, where they fulfilled their dream of working at Schutz American School, with Larry as the headmaster. In 1997 Schutz added the Pattee campus to its 75-year-old main campus.

In 2000, Larry and Lavina retired and moved to Big Lake, Minnesota, where they welcomed family visits, fishing in Big Lake, were active in the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, and continued to travel and serve, including going to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Larry is survived by Lavina; their children, Jeff, Randy (Val Ruttenberg), Linda (Jerry Gilfoyle), and Sharon (Terry Kibby); and grandchildren, Jack (Sophie), Emmett, and Cy Pattee, Emily (Connor) and Erin Kibby, and Catherine and Garrett Gilfoyle. He was preceded in death by siblings Laverne, Edward, Arlene, William, Wallace, Donald, and by his son, Keith.

Larry was a citizen of the world. He was happiest when traveling – whether behind the wheel of the car exploring all 50 United States or while visiting and living in over 30 countries. Dr. Pattee loved his family, the morning newspaper, shoveling snow, and sitting outside by the fire. “It wasn’t about the miles; it was about the people.”

Services will be held at Buffalo Presbyterian Church.