Louis Albert Larrea

Louis Albert “Luis” Larrea, age 90, passed away peacefully in his home on November 27, 2022 with his steadfast partner and loving wife of 38 years, Debra, at his side. He was born on November 10, 1932 in New York, New York, son of the late Aida Contreras (nee Salazar) and Louis Lawrence Larrea. He grew up on Audubon Avenue in Washington Heights, raised by his mother, step-father, Freddie Contreras, and beloved Aunt Mary “Nikko” Salazar.

Louis spent his childhood building lifelong friendships while running around Washington Heights. He and his buddies swam in the East River at the age of five, climbed poles to sneak into the Polo Grounds to watch the New York Giants games, and got into mischief that would become fodder for a lifetime of stories.

With an eye towards military service (and staying out of trouble in the neighborhood), he took a train and two buses to attend an elite technical high school. He secretly enlisted with the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and began basic training at Camp LeJeune in February 1951. Louis braved a harrowing fifteen months of service on the front lines of the Korean War as a rifleman for USMC H Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. For this service, he would later be awarded a Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, and Ambassador of Peace proclamation by the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, presented to him in person during a 2015 visit to Seoul.

Sharing a birthday with the Marine Corps was fitting for Louis, who proudly attended Marine Corps reunions and delighted in the “Semper Fi” fellowship during visits to the VA hospital. In the true spirit of a Marine, he committed his life to the progress of our Nation as a global leader and educator.

While his beginnings may have been humble, his aspirations were high. After returning from the war, he married Margaret (nee Nevin), supported his young family working nights as a line technician for AT&T and completing his bachelor's degree at City Colleges of New York (CCNY). He earned his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He quickly ascended the corporate ranks of the growing telecommunications industry. He was able to leverage his love of his Mexican heritage and culture when he was named AT&T Long Lines’ Country Manager for Mexico. He led operations in Latin America and directed communications for the Kennedy Space Center during NASA’s Apollo mission era. His management responsibilities took him to Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New York and New Jersey where he met his soulmate, Debra, before “retiring” from AT&T in 1983.

To understand Louis, one only needs to take a few steps into his home. Floor to ceiling books on custom bookshelves, each painstakingly read, re-read, and lovingly gifted to friends, family, or students eager to glean more knowledge (always with a handwritten note to indicate it was not intended to be returned).

This lifelong passion for learning allowed him to successfully make many pivots in his personal and professional life after his first “retirement.” He and Debra uprooted from New Jersey to Chicago, welcomed their child, Zac, then moved to Belgium for two years and back to Chicago. All the while, Louis adapted his career, even becoming a librarian at Zac’s preschool in Brussels. After a few executive positions for GTE and Northern Telecom, he discerned his true desire to become a professor.

Ten thousand students later, Louis achieved this goal in spades. Dedicating 28 years as a professor of International Business and Marketing at DePaul University, Louis pioneered the creation of the cross-college, study abroad tour program and holds the record for the most tours by any DePaul professor. Mixed among his piles of books are Distinguished Teaching awards, but his most prized awards can be found in the mountains of wedding invitations, photographs, and holiday cards from his former students.

Louis, like a modern day Socrates, loved bringing people together with good food (and drinks) to discuss ideas. Whether at Shaw’s enjoying “oystahs…they put lead in your pencil,” at Guthrie’s Tavern sharing a pint, or entertaining in his home with Sinatra crooning softly in the background, those who love Louis cherish these memories. Stories from his world travels, his lengthy career, his voracious reading, or his days “in the Heights” inspired everyone.

His family enjoys memories of Louis’ favorite hobbies: when he took up running and only made it halfway down the block (only to continue on to run four marathons, including the New York and Boston Marathons). How his New York ire would unveil whenever his sports team let him down (Bulls, Giants, Yankees). His dedication to his beloved dogs, taking them to the lakefront path for “runs” long past his own days of running. And finally, his faith that led him to twice embark on El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage - once in honor of his daughter, Donna, and again to share the experience with his son, Zac, upon his high school graduation.

Louis is survived by his wife, Debra (nee Freeman), loving children, Margaret Larrea, Catherine (Dana) Hartley, Donna Hartley, Christine (Michael) Thomas, and Zachary Larrea. Proud grandfather of Michael, Emily, and Ryan. Further survived by many close family and friends. Proceeded in death by his parents, sisters Maria (Robert) Ashenfelter, Barbara (Daniel) Tuohy, and Sandra (Michael) Seroy, and his son, Michael Larrea.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of the following organizations in Louis’ honor:

The Semper Fi & America’s Fund. 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 or www.thefund.org/donate

US Against Alzheimers www.usagainstalzheimers.org Contributions may be made by mail to: UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Attn: Development Office, PO Box 34565, Washington, DC, 20043 https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org

DePaul Emeritus Society Scholarship – This fund provides scholarships for undergraduate students who are completing their last two years of academic study and have demonstrated financial need. This fund was Louis’ favorite way to help students complete their education when faced with financial challenges, https://give.depaul.edu/LouisLarrea

A wake will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 2pm-6pm at Drake and Sons Funeral Home. 5303 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Vincent de Paul Parish 1010 West Webster Avenue Chicago, Illinois.

Military Funeral Honors and Burial Friday, June 2, 11am, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DrakeandSonFuneralHome.com for the Larrea family.