Better known as Lawrie, he passed away peacefully on Monday, April 27, at 8:30 p.m., following a brief stay at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After the death of his second wife, Esther Rae, he moved from Chesterbrook on Philadelphia’s Main Line to Michigan to be closer to his two sons.
Lawrie was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Ann Stetson (1979), and his wife, Esther Rae Low Stetson (2025), to whom he was married for 35 years. He is survived by his first wife, Patricia Ann McIntyre Nelson, with whom he was married for 27 years, and their sons: John (with his wife, Jackie) and David (with his spouse, John).
He is also survived by his brother, Colin Stetson of Culver, Indiana; his two stepsons, Lonny Charles, and David Smith Low; six grandchildren—Laura, Amanda, Jessica, Jenny, Josh, and Kristen; and two great-grandchildren, Finley Ann Bailey and Stephen Bullard Schmitt.
Born in Chicago in 1936 and raised in Winnetka, Lawrie developed a lifelong love of the outdoors, including canoeing in the Grand Tetons and the Canadian Boundary Waters. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958, including service in Japan. He graduated from Northwestern University, where he roomed with Warren Beatty, met his first wife, Patricia, and became a devoted member of Sigma Chi—a bond he later shared with his son, David. He also earned an MBA from the University of Southern California.
Lawrie spent 35 years as an executive sales manager with the Campbell Soup Company. He was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, and occasionally supported Notre Dame. Deeply committed to his community, he served on the board of the Malvern Center and was an active member of the Wayne Senior Center, where he enjoyed playing, teaching, and encouraging others to play bridge.
Known for his warmth and ability to connect with others, Lawrie had a talent for building community and putting people at ease, often with his signature dad jokes and one-liners. Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his 38 years of sobriety with Alcoholics Anonymous, where he mentored, sponsored, and led meetings. He lived a full and meaningful life, surrounded by many valued friends—his greatest gift.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 22 at noon at the O’Brien Eggebeen Gerst Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A repast will follow at Reds at Thousand Oaks Golf Club. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your favorite veterans’ organization or at www.Melmark.org
12 Responses
Lawrie,(Pop Pop) was the best husband to my mother Rae Steson, and the best Grandfather to my daughters, Jessica & Jennifer, and Step dad to me and my then wife Shelley’s Low. He will be missed beyond words. Huge love & Gratitude🙏🏼🌈❤️❤️❤️
Lawrie,(Pop Pop) was the best husband to my mother Rae Steson, and the best Grandfather to my daughters, Jessica & Jennifer, and Step dad to me and my then wife Shelley’s Low. He will be missed beyond words. Huge love & Gratitude🙏🏼🌈❤️❤️❤️
Lawrie,(Pop Pop) was the best husband to my mother Rae Steson, and the best Grandfather to my daughters, Jessica & Jennifer, and Step dad to me and my then wife Shelley’s Low. He will be missed beyond words. Huge love & Gratitude🙏🏼🌈❤️❤️❤️
Lawrie,(Pop Pop) was the best husband to my mother Rae Steson, and the best Grandfather to my daughters, Jessica & Jennifer, and Step dad to me and my then wife Shelley’s Low. He will be missed beyond words. Huge love & Gratitude🙏🏼🌈❤️❤️❤️
Lawrie,(Pop Pop) was the best husband to my mother Rae Steson, and the best Grandfather to my daughters, Jessica & Jennifer, and Step dad to me and my then wife Shelley’s Low. He will be missed beyond words. Huge love & Gratitude🙏🏼🌈❤️❤️❤️
Lawrie,(Pop Pop) was the best husband to my mother Rae Steson, and the best Grandfather to my daughters, Jessica & Jennifer, and Step dad to me and my then wife Shelley’s Low. He will be missed beyond words. Huge love & Gratitude🙏🏼🌈❤️❤️❤️
Lawrie,(Pop Pop) was the best husband to my mother Rae Steson, and the best Grandfather to my daughters, Jessica & Jennifer, and Step dad to me and my then wife Shelley’s Low. He will be missed beyond words. Huge love & Gratitude🙏🏼🌈❤️❤️❤️
Pop Pop was the most wonderful grandfather I could have ever asked for. It’s rare when you come across someone in this world that has a true zest for life like he did. Lawrie had a profound love for making people smile, and he did so openly and freely. Random acts of kindness was the name of his game- it didn’t matter if you were a perfect stranger or someone he’d known for years- he simply gave back whenever he could; especially to strangers at the Wawa Gas Station.
He was relentlessly kind, funny, and could bring levity to almost any situation. He was a gifted orator and a brilliant raconteur. When I think back on my childhood, some of my most cherished memories have Pop Pop center stage: putting on elaborate puppet shows with wacky voices, helping my sister and I catch fireflies in the backyard, or my personal favorite- pretending the brakes in the car went out as my sister, grandma, and myself go rolling around in the back seat down Colorado country roads laughing hysterically.
I feel so lucky to have had his presence in my life. He was uniquely himself and will forever be a paragon of strength and kindness to me. I know that whenever I hear a Johnny Cash song, see a Hallmark film, or hear an epic ‘dad’ joke, I’ll smile and think of him.
We love you Pop Pop! ‘I’ll see you in the spring, if I can get through the mattress!’ 🧡
I first met Lawrie when I convinced my dear friend Rae to join me at a Parent’s Without Partners event. He was introduced to me by one of my friends there and I introduced him to Rae. They went off to dance and talk and the rest became history. He was a good and generous friend to me and the 3 of us spent many times together. I will miss him very much as I miss his dearly departed wife Rae. I know they are having a great time together in the ever after.
Pop Pop Lawrie you are always going to stay in my heart and mind till we meet again at “The Family BBQ Banquet” in heaven. Our visits in SC, PA in Chesterbrook were always loving, fun, humorous times and I am praying for John, David and all family grieving your passing. What a wonderful life you lived and the many you helped (including me). I see you in your leather chair with my young children Joshua and Kristen and your special way to listen so patiently to their joy stories they shared with you. Your “scary chest “at foot of your grand bed with masks, and treasures you enjoyed making my children laugh is a priceless memory for us all. Reindeer chow you layed out for Santa in SC… So many joyous times shared during your marriage to Grandma Rae. What an epic couple you have been. Much love, comfort, prayers and support to you John, Jackie Stetson David Stetson (Uncle Sparky), Grandchildren. Thank you Lonny for representing those of us unable to attend Pop Pop’s Celebration of Life.
Dad Dad Dad, you have been the rock all my life, from boy scout ghost stories, to playing santa with our secret gifts, my mentor & my guide, you taught me most of what I know that is good, just, honest, kind and generous…how to do simple acts to show another person love. You leaned in when others couldn’t, you offered a shoulder when I was weak, and you always gave exactly what I needed when I needed it most.
You left us too soon, you will be missed forever. Semper Fi my military father, & my fraternity brother. Love you to infinity and beyond.
Rest in peace, Lawrie.
Dennis