Obituary of Lawrence G Nault

Larry G. Nault, 84, of Basking Ridge, NJ, passed away on Saturday, February 29, 2020 following a brief illness. Larry was born in Marquette, Michigan to Arthur Albert and Mary Barbara (Ottmann) Nault. He graduated from Ishpeming High School, in Ishpeming, Michigan, earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, funded by the Texaco Fellowship, at the University of Washington. Larry married Barbara E. Hassenger of Ishpeming, Michigan on February 12, 1955 and was a devoted husband until her passing in 2018. Larry’s unbridled dedication to the science and art of chemical engineering brought his and Barbara’s growing family an abundance of adventure and friendship in all corners of the country – living in seven states before settling down in Basking Ridge, NJ in 1974 with their eight children. Larry worked tirelessly in chemical engineering for over 60 years, developing expertise in electrochemical production, direct separations, and polymerization unit processes, and working with a dozen firms. In 1983, he established the Matrix Integrated Linkage consulting firm and continued taking assignments through 2019. Larry was sought after for his integrity, deep content knowledge, and exacting analyses. He took great pride in the fruitful stream of referrals by previous colleagues, who had long become dear friends. Beyond work in the U.S., he crisscrossed the globe managing and consulting on projects in 33 countries across Europe, South America, and Asia. His wife, Barbara, often accompanied him on these assignments; their companionship and the friendships cultivated through these travels, greatly enriched their lives. Larry’s voracious appetite for discovery plunged him -- with his family often in tow -- into wide-ranging hobbies such as breeding and training springer spaniels, growing organic vegetables, deer hunting in the Upper Peninsula Michigan with his father, and motoring midwestern waterways in a 36’ cabin cruiser boat, even running for local political office. He was avid reader, and writer, and enjoyed sharing his treatises with friends and family. Above all, faith, family and dear friends formed the foundation of Larry’s life. He prioritized lifelong learning and the education of his beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. While living in Basking Ridge, his faith was enriched by the clergy and members at The Church of Saint James, the Shrine of Saint Joseph and Church of Christ the King. And Larry cherished his friends near and far that brought color and connection to his daily life. Larry is survived by his sister Brigid Dickson, and brothers Stephen Nault and Albert Nault, eight children, Barbara (Wayne) Henderek of Titusville, NJ, Brigid Nault of White Bear Lake, MN, Louis (Donna) Nault of Darien, CT, Stephen (Paula) of Stockton, CA, Laura (David) Massell, of Burlington, VT, Mark (Shannon) Nault of Dallas, TX, Mary (James) Calvano of Franklin Lakes, NJ, Sue (Ken) Grula of Jacksonville, FL, twenty-two grandchildren, three great grandchildren and cousin Bill Ottmann. Larry is predeceased by his loving wife Barbara, sister Paula and their parents. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. James Church, 184 S. Finley Ave, Basking, NJ on Friday, March 6, at 10 AM. The Nault family welcomes friends to the Visitation at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ on Thursday, March 5, from 4 to 7 PM. Burial will be in Somerset Hills Memorial Park in a family plot. For further information or to share an online condolence, please visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the Alzheimer Association.