Arthur R. Laengrich

Arthur (Art) Richard Laengrich of Midland died on September 26, 2024.  Son of Ruth and Carl Laengrich, Art was born in Arcadia, Oklahoma on February 7, 1933.  He was raised on a small farm outside of Luther, Oklahoma by his mother and step-father, Walter McCartney, and graduated from Luther High School in 1951.  Art then first indulged his wanderlust with a Route 66 trip to California with good friend Jack Wagner in a barely roadworthy 1940-something roadster that required various roadside repairs along the way and back!  Art served 2 years in the Army from 1952-54, and then attended Oklahoma State University, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1961.  He paid his way with the GI Bill and semesters working on Oklahoma’s turnpike system, in between school semesters.  His first engineering job was with Union Carbide in Brownsville, Texas.  There he met and married his beloved wife Sue Starnes (a fellow Oklahoman), and together they enjoyed their “exotic” life in the coastal border town.  As Art began his career, they began their family with the birth of their oldest son Larry.

In 1964 Art accepted a position in Midland, Texas with The Ortloff Corporation.  He relished the opportunity for a new adventure with great potential, and was very impressed in particular by his future employers, Mr. Roy E. Campbell and Mr. William F. Ortloff.  For the rest of his life Art enjoyed the wide open spaces, big sky and mild climate of Midland.  He and Sue deeply loved their city and community, neighbors and friends, and there was no other place they wanted to live.

Art advanced through various positions with Ortloff’s engineering department.  In 1974 he was elected a Vice President of the Ortloff Corporation where he then managed various conceptual engineering, technology development, and technology licensing groups.  During these years Art honed his business and people skills.  He traveled all over the world in his various roles, feeding his delight in travel, and building friendships and relationships wherever he went.  His character and honesty, combined with premium technology to sell, made him a master deal closer.

During these years Art and Sue added their daughter Jennifer and son Jay to the family.  Art fostered each of his children’s interests and passions, and was a constant teacher, whether it was about animal husbandry, politics or calculus.  Art was a faithful member of the Golf Course Road Church of Christ, and in recent years the Fairmont Park Church of Christ.  He led his family in weekend chores, Sunday church, and dinner time prayers.  The family enjoyed traveling together, including regular trips to Oklahoma to see family and motorhome trips across much of the US.  Art never met a road he wasn’t curious to take or an historical marker he didn’t want to read, and he never ran out of places he’d like to go visit!

Art and Sue gave their children many gifts, including a love for learning, deep respect for people, and a rich and abiding faith.  Caring for extended family was ingrained in everyday life.  Art could fix anything with baling wire and duct tape, loved a project, and would spend half a day hunting for the best deal on a car part or paper goods.  He was a fan of Karen Carpenter, Eva Cassidy, and country music.  Art was very rarely in a hurry, and usually the calm in the middle of life’s storms and challenges.  He loved a technical challenge, long conversations, thinking in the shower, and corn right off the cob.  He found joy in both the natural world and what people could create and build.  Art embodied deep love, an immense work ethic, high standards and humility.

Art became President and Chief Executive Officer of Ortloff Engineers, LTD in 1986 when the new company was formed to license the patented technologies developed by the Ortloff Corporation.  Under his leadership, Ortloff Engineers, LTD became the leading supplier of gas liquids recovery technology around the world, and gained worldwide recognition for its sulfur recovery plant design experience.  Over the years Art built an exceptional team of people whom he deeply respected and admired, and he delighted in working alongside them.

Art and Sue designed and built their dream home in 1994, where they hosted office parties and the newly arriving grandkids.  After Art’s retirement in 2003, they bought a home on Lake Athens, where the grandkids grew up on swings, boats and jet skis, watching George of the Jungle and feeding catfish off the dock, learning the family marble game, and driving the golf cart into various ditches.  Art cherished each of his grandkids, and delighted in their company, watching them grow up, and being a part of their lives.  Many holidays, feasts, game nights and days on the lake were enjoyed with extended family and friends in the special years that followed. Art & Sue were married 47 years until her death in 2010.

Art was increasingly involved in his neighborhood and community.  He found solutions for the health of the little “lakes” & other challenges in their neighborhood.  He was a Lion’s Club member and ran their eye screening program for preschoolers through 2023.

Art struck it rich again in 2012 when he married his second wife Frances Garrett.  They were true sweethearts, and Art delighted in Frances’ energetic and positive demeanor, and the blessing of four “bonus” children.  She kept him laughing and busy for their 12 joyful years together.  They moved to their home in Manor Park in 2017 and enjoyed a rich life together with family and friends.  During his illness, Frances was his devoted partner and principal caregiver, and lovingly supported him through this time.

Art is survived by his wife Frances Laengrich, his children Larry Laengrich, Jennifer Aurelius (Marc), and Jay Laengrich (Jeryn); grandchildren Evan Laengrich (Reagan), Kate Laengrich, Abbie Aurelius, and Olivia Aurelius, and great grandson Jeremiah Salazar.  He is also survived by his step-children Terry Garrett, Scott Garrett (Hettie), Gary Garrett, and Donna Wishard (Jeff), his sister Betty Sexton, and his nephews and nieces.  He is preceded in death by his wife Martha Sue Laengrich, sister Marie Laengrich, and brother Fred Wilkinson.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Manor Park Rehab, Home Care Plus and Hospice of Midland for the wonderful care they gave to Art during his final weeks.  Special thanks to Irene, Payne, Maya and nurse Lisa for their kindness and sensitive care.

Art left us peacefully at about 10:10 am on Thursday, September 26, 2024 with his family at his side.  A memorial service and celebration will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday October 19, 2024 at the Manor Park chapel.  Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Midland, the Lions Club, or Fairmont Park Church of Christ.

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