Lawrence F. Rossow, native son of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on September 25, 2026, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was formerly a resident of Port Charlotte, Florida, among other cities. Larry was born on March 21, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois to Lawrence V. Rossow, and Marie A. Martino. He married Nancy Dort Rossow on April 10, 1976, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is the father of two daughters, Mara Rossow Cohn, and Marie Eileen Rossow.
Larry graduated from DePaul University Chicago in 1969 with a B.A. in Philosophy and English Education. In 1971, he earned an M.Ed. in School Administration and Supervision; in1983 an Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Law at Loyola University Chicago; in 2000 a B.A. in Theology at Newman University, Kansas.
He was a Catholic school teacher, principal and headmaster, a public school superintendent, a university professor of law, school administration, theology, liberal studies, and human relations, dean of the school of Education at the University of Houston, Victoria, Texas, Director of the Center for Special Education Due Process, College of Law, University of Oklahoma, and he retired in 2015 as Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma. His illustrious career has taken him around the world as a keynote speaker, consultant, presenter, and expert witness. Larry is the author of 16 scholarly books, over 100 journal articles, and numerous refereed presentations. He was an internationally recognized expert in the fields of education law, and school administration.
In addition to his scholarly work, in 2000 Larry was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. He served numerous dioceses throughout the US, hosted a radio talk show, “God Talk” in Norman, Oklahoma, served as a school Chaplain at the elementary and secondary level, ministered to residents of assisted living facilities, and taught theology and religious studies at the university level.
Larry earned his private pilot’s license (VFR rules), charter sailboat certification, and SCUBA diver certification. He dove the Great Barrier Reef and has sailed many lakes and The Gulf of Mexico. He enjoyed fishing, boating, playing card and board games with the family, and grilling at many faculty and family gatherings. He was a seeker of justice, and was known for his sharp intellect, friendly personality, dry sense of humor, integrity, strong faith, calm in the face of adversity, and kindness which he demonstrated quietly through little deeds. Larry will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
Larry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy Dort Rossow of Colorado Springs, his daughter Marie Rossow of Colorado Springs, CO, daughter Mara Cohn and son-in-law Al Marcano of 29 Palms, CA, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Stephanie Dort Bryn and John Bryn of Olney, MD, and numerous adoring nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces.
A vigil service will be held the Thursday, October 8, from 5-7 pm in the “America the Beautiful” chapel at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 East Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 9 at 11:00 am at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church and Shrine, 927 North Logan Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80909. A reception will be held at the church, following the Mass. Interment will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 11:00 am at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Memorials in Larry’s name may be made to Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Ave, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 or online at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.
I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though he die yet shall he live.” – John 11:25.