Lawrence B. Kort

Lawrence (Larry) Bernard Kort, 72, of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania entered into eternal life on
Monday, February 14, 2022.
Larry was a member of Guardian Angels Parish, Natrona Heights, Most Blessed Sacrament Church. He was a lifetime member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus,
Natrona Council #2602, held numerous offices within the council and was a delegate to the Pittsburgh
Chapter and State Conventions. He proudly served as Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus
Fourth Degree and Honor Guard of Council #0928, Natrona, PA.
A 1967 graduate of Har-Brack High School, Larry earned his Associate in Arts degree in 1969 from the
Boyce Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County, his Bachelor of Science in Education in
1971 and his Master of Education in 1978, both from Edinboro University. Mr. Kort taught Biology,
Earth Space Science and Botany at Plum Senior High school from 1973 until his retirement in 2002. He
was a member of the Plum Boro Education Association, National Education Association (NEA-Retired),
Pennsylvania State Teachers Association (PSEA-Retired), Allegheny County Association of School
Retirees, Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) and the Alle Kiski Chapter of PASR.
Larry was a member of the former Kiski Valley Astronomers Society and a lover of “star parties,”
Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club, and the Allegheny Valley YMCA Silver Sneakers Water Aerobics
Class. He greatly enjoyed being a member of the Skyview Radio Society (KB3KHR), New Kensington, PA,
and the National Association for Amateur Radio (AARL). In his early years, he enjoyed fossil hunting, car
trips, Caribbean cruises, a cross country trip to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, and traveling to beach
destinations in North Carolina and Maryland with his family. Larry could frequently be found working in
his garden and cutting the grass on his John Deere tractor. He loved music, coffee, talking about military
history and recalling stories told by his hero, his father, who served in World War II. He was extremely
proud of his Polish heritage, and was a collector of family photographs and scrapbooks, military
memorabilia, old books and fossils. He especially enjoyed working at the Knights of Columbus Pancake
Breakfasts, and loved telling jokes and making others laugh.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joan (Galetka) Kort at home, daughters Elizabeth Ann
(Christopher) Von Bargen of New Freedom, PA and Theresa Marie (Santiago ) Moran of Winchester, KY,
his grandson and light of his life, Connor James Von Bargen, sisters Bernadette (Robert) Dudeck,
Marlene (Leonard) Bolewitz and Sylvia (Eric) Lowry, all of Sarver, PA, nine nieces and nephews and their
spouses and children and Estefania and Angelica Moran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann
(Orkwiszewski) Kort and Bernard Kort, father-in-law Emil J. Galetka, mother-in-law Emma E. Galetka,
many aunts, uncles and cousins, and numerous beloved canine companions.

Friends and family will be received at Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, 1522 Carlisle Street, Natrona
Heights, on Friday, 2/18/22 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Guardian
Angels Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Natrona Heights, at 9:30am on
Saturday, 2/19/22, with the Reverend Andrew Fischer as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Mount
Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights, PA. The Ladies of Charity of Guardian Angels Parish will hold services in the funeral home on Friday at 1:45 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus will hold services on Friday at 6:00 p.m. The family requests those attending the visitation and service to please wear a face covering.
Memorial contributions in Larry’s honor may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #2602,
Natrona,