LANGENHEIM, LAWSON

LANGENHEIM, LAWSON, a resident of Fellowship Village, Basking Ridge, N.J. died Thursday, March 25, 2010 at Overlook Hospital in Summit. He was 96. Arrangements were private under direction of the William R. Dangler Funeral Home, Summit. Born Jan. 26, 1914 in Harrisburg, Pa., he was the second son of Frederick E. and Agnes Lawson Langenheim. He spent much of his youth in the small seashore town of Avalon, N.J., growing up with his three brothers Fred, Bill, and Al. He enjoyed the seashore at its best in a bygone era, fishing, hunting, rowing, sailing, and boatbuilding. He married Sarah Isabel May of Summit on Oct. 11, 1941 and became a resident of Summit, where he would live most of his life. He also remained a lifelong seasonal resident of Avalon. Mr. Langenheim served his country honorably during World War II in the U.S. Navy Seabees, as a member of the 105th Naval Construction Battalion. He saw action at Milne Bay, New Guinea and Leyte, Philippines. Following his military service, he was employed as a customer service representative with the Summit Hardware Co., and later worked in the same capacity with Keuffel & Esser Co. of Hoboken and Morristown. He enjoyed his family and friends, travel, the outdoors, fishing, woodworking, and carpentry, reading and puttering. He served as Troop Chairman for Boy Scout Troop 262, and as a volunteer at the Summit Playhouse. He converted an old barn at 48 Blackburn Place in Summit into the family home, where he resided for almost 50 years. According to his son, that home is now gone. He also was instrumental in preserving his Grandfathers old home in Avalon. He was a consummate collector of all things. The contents of his basement were neighborhood legend. He was preceded in death by his wife Sarah, and his brothers, Frederick and William. Survivors include his daughter, Nancy L. Gastineau of Short Hills; his son, John Lawson Langenheim of Manassas, Va.; four loving grandchildren, William, John, Gayle, and Nicole; three adoring great-grandchildren, Teagan, Maeve, and Fabiola; and his youngest brother, Alan Langenheim of Gainesville, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a favorite charity in Mr. Langenheims memory.