Lawrence “Larry” Chester Kubiak of Duluth, Minn., passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, according to Minnesota Funeral. He was 77.

Before graduating high school in 1960, Kubiak enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. He served upon the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and put the ship in commission in 1961 at Norfolk, Va. Kubiak was a signalman third class petty officer and was aboard during the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

After the Navy, Kubiak spent a year at the University of Minnesota Duluth before working at the Diamond Tool & Horseshoe Co. While there, he became a journeyman machinist after attending Duluth Area Vocational Technical Institute (DAVTI), now Lake Superior College. Diamond Tool & Horseshoe Co. forged horseshoes as well as various wrenches, according to The Duluth News Tribune. After being in business for almost 100 years, Diamond Tool & Horseshoe Co. closed down in 1994. The farrier division was acquired by Triangle, Cooper Tools and Apex respectively before the Royal Kerckhaert Horseshoe Factory acquired it in 2015.

Kubiak took his knowledge as a journeyman machinist to MN Power where he then became the chairman of the power systems safety committee. He also became involved with his alma mater by teaching at and becoming a member of the General Advisory Board at Lake Superior College. When Kubiak retired from MN Power, he became president of the MN Power Retirees.

Kubiak was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, winning many first-place awards on the Ritual Team. In 2012, he became a member of the Duluth Honor Guard, who will bestow military honors before inurnment. 

The visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. A memorial service will follow at Spirit of God Lutheran Church, 2431 W. 3rd St. Inurnment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Cheryl Brown and Jackie Hood of St. Luke’s Hospice. Donations in memory of Kubiak can be directed to St. Luke’s Hospice.