Larry Alster Pulkrabek

Larry Alster Pulkrabek of Manheim Township died in Lancaster on Thursday, December 17, at the age of 76. He was born on September 18, 1939, in Freeport, Illinois to George and Helen Pulkrabek. Mr. Pulkrabek studied economics at Beloit College, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1964. Mr. Pulkrabek began his legal career as an associate attorney at Stroud, Stebbins & Stroud in Madison, Wisconsin. From 1965 to 1968, he served as the director of legal affairs at Keko Industries, Inc., in Cincinnati, Ohio. In Cincinnati, Mr. Pulkrabek met a young speech therapist, Mary Kathryn (“Kaye”) Baughman, who was to be his best friend and life’s companion. The couple married in Warren, Ohio on August 17, 1968. Also in August 1968, Mr. Pulkrabek accepted a staff attorney position with the legal department of Armstrong, Inc., later Armstrong World Industries, Inc. He became the general manager of Armstrong’s legal department in 1973. In 1977, at the youthful age of 37, Mr. Pulkrabek was promoted to the position of Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel. As the company’s chief legal officer, he helped lead Armstrong’s global expansion to 24 domestic plants and 25 overseas. Between 1988 and 1990, Mr. Pulkrabek defended Armstrong against a hostile takeover bid by corporate raiders and greenmailers who threatened to dismantle the company. His work contributed to Pennsylvania’s adoption of the toughest anti-takeover legislation in the United States, and Armstrong successfully repelled the barbarians at its gates. Mr. Pulkrabek retired from Armstrong in 1997, although the company continued to use his services as a consultant for many years. In his retirement, he applied his time, legal training, and business experience to assisting local nonprofit and political organizations. Mr. Pulkrabek had a particular fondness for country backroads and scenic byways. Though seldom lost, his epic drives in, out, around, and across Lancaster County often made him tardy for supper. Ever slow to anger and quick to forgive, Mr. Pulkrabek was a devoted spouse, loving father, and adoring “Gada” to his granddaughters. Surviving him are his wife, Kaye; his son, Ross Pulkrabek; his daughter, Loring Krall; his grandchildren; his sister, GeorgeAnne Awe; and his brother, Richard. His family will miss him in a thousand ways. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to MidPenn Legal Services, 38 N. Christian St., Lancaster, PA 17601, in memory of Mr. Pulkrabek’s contributions to the legal profession and to the community. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Larry Alster Pulkrabek

December 18, 2015