HOT SPRINGS | Dr. Larry Agenbroad, age 81, a longtime member of the Hot Springs, S.D., community, died in Christ at the Pine Hills Retirement Home in Hot Springs on Oct. 31, 2014. Larry will be remembered not only for his scientific accomplishments, but for his care for others and his ever-present sense of humor.
Larry will be commended into the arms of Christ in a memorial service to be held at The Hot Springs Mueller Civic Center at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Please contact Diane Turner at the Mammoth Site for further details: (605) 745 – 6017 ext 213 or by e-mail at dianat@mammothsite.org.
Larry has asked that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the Larry Agenbroad Legacy Fund for Research, Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, S.D., PO Box 692, Hot Springs SD 57747.
Larry Delmar Agenbroad was born on April 3, 1933, south of Nampa, Idaho, on his family’s farm, to Richard and Jenny (Bradshaw) Agenbroad. Larry was the youngest son in a family of three brothers and three sisters. Larry was brought up in a Christian home and maintained a lifelong walk with Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Agenbroad, and his two sons, Brett and Finn Agenbroad. Larry’s family anchored his life at home while giving him the freedom to live his life. His family participated in his research field-work and adventures, listened to his theories, and shared the joy of his discoveries. Wanda loved Larry and in her the example of sacrificial love could find no better example.
His boys made him immensely proud, as did his daughters-in-law, Maria Agenbroad and Heidi Agenbroad. Larry loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Larry earned his living doing what he loved. He was richly blessed in his career as a professor and a research scientist. Larry was a professor at Chadron State College, NE, from 1968-1978, and from 1978-2003 he served as a Northern Arizona University professor of geology and paleontology. While at NAU he created and directed the Quaternary Studies Program. He served as the director and principal investigator at the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs from 1974-2014. Larry’s research endeavors were international in scope and include, but are not limited to, The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs South Dakota, the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site in eastern Nebraska, Bechan Cave in southeastern Utah, Five Fingers Bison Kill site in Idaho, Murray Springs and Lehner Ranch Mammoth kill sites in southeastern Arizona, the pygmy mammoths of the Channel Islands of California, the frozen mammoths of the Siberian Steppe, and he worked with numerous colleagues in Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and Mexico. Because of his international reputation, the name ‘Larry Agenbroad’ is synonymous with ‘Ice Age Mammoths.’
Larry was a published author and frequent contributor to scientific journals covering a broad range of research in geology, archeology, and paleontology. He was featured in numerous documentaries such as the Discovery Channel’s “Raising the Mammoth,” “Walking With Prehistoric Beasts,” and “Titans of the Ice Age,” to name a few.
Larry received his PhD from the University of Arizona. He was a member of the Explorers Club and a received the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award for Lifetime Scientific Achievement in 2005. In 1996, Larry received the Geological Society of America’s Rip Rapp Archaeological Geology Award.
Larry mentored countless students over his 40+ years of academics, many of whom became research partners and notable contributors in their chosen fields. Larry maintained relationships with many of his former students and professional colleagues and will be remembered by the many whose lives he touched. His deep laugh and broad smile will forever be remembered.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.chamberlainmccolleys.com.