Obituary: Lawrence Boyd Lindemer

Lawrence Boyd Lindemer, 98, died at Silver Maples of Chelsea on May 21 under the care of their wonderfully dedicated staff and Arbor Hospice.  Larry was born 21 August 1921, in Syracuse, NY to Altamae (Reimers) and George F. Lindemer. Growing up in upstate NY, he developed a life-long love for the Reimers-Lindemer camp on Skaneateles Lake where he met his future wife, Rebecca Gale.

He married Rebecca Mead Gale in 1941 and moved to her family’s farm near Stockbridge, MI. At that time he transferred from Hamilton College in New York to the University of Michigan where he graduated with an A.B. degree in 1943. Larry and Becky made Stockbridge their permanent home for 50 years and raised their two sons, Larry, Jr. and David, there. Following Becky’s death in 1991, Larry married Jean Backus and enjoyed a second married life in Florida with her and the new step-family. Following Jean’s death Larry moved into Silver Maples in 2012.

Larry served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force in WW II. After the war, he received a law degree from the University of Michigan and started practice in 1949. He quickly took an interest in politics serving as assistant prosecuting attorney for Ingham County in 1949 and 1950. In 1950 he was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives. He served on the Hoover Commission from 1953 until 1955. Returning to Michigan in 1955, he joined the Lansing law firm of Foster, Foster and Campbell. He was chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 1957 to 1961. He served on the University of Michigan Board of Regents from 1969 to 1975, and in 1975 Governor Milliken appointed him to the Michigan Supreme Court. Larry subsequently worked as general counsel for Consumers Power Company and was later employed with the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.

Larry loved the legal profession. He enjoyed being in public, at the head of the table, at Michigan Stadium, on the golf course, at the bridge table, in his small vegetable garden, and — until recent years — in the Republican Party.

He is survived by: Larry, Jr. (Louise) of Rockford, MI; David (Sue) Lindemer of Stockbridge; three grandchildren — Larry III (Pamela) of Rockford, Caroline Pond (Greg) of Saugatuck, and Christa Lindemer of Ann Arbor; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by: his parents, brother George, both wives, infant daughter Caroline, and granddaughter Anna Lindemer.

The family will share a private memorial celebration of Larry’s life at a later date.

For those wishing to make memorial donations, the family suggests local food banks or another local charity of choice.