Larry Patrick Dunning, 78, passed away on May 7 from pancreatic cancer in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Larry's life was devoted to public education – it was his driving motivation and passion and he advocated for public schools, students, and staff for over 30 years.

Born February 24, 1943 in South Bend, Indiana to Robert and Josephine Dunning, Larry graduated from John Adams High School in 1961 and attended Purdue University graduating with a bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education and a master's degree in Education Administration and American History.

Larry's career as a teacher began in Hammond, Indiana in 1966 and continued in 1969 at Brandywine High School in Niles, Michigan. He then made the transition to High School Principal – a position he would hold at three different schools: Brandywine High School from 1975-1981, Dodgeville High School (Dodgeville, Wisconsin) from 1981-1988, and Bay Port High School (Green Bay, Wisconsin) from 1988-2001, what he considered the opportunity of his career.

In that time, he was a crucial part of creating a positive reputation for the Howard-Suamico School District which resulted in expansion of the building used for Bay Port at the time.  Due to the continued growth of the area, he was again instrumental in the successful passing of the referendum to build the new Bay Port High School. His Bay Port students and staff became his extended family.

Throughout his years in education, Larry was known for his positive student-centered leadership, treating everyone with respect and equality, caring for people as individuals, being a calming presence in difficult situations, and carrying forth in his duties with humor and humility.

In retirement, Larry maintained his passion for education and continued serving the community through involvement in numerous organizations, most notably the Lions Club and the Howard-Suamico Education Foundation in which he was a founding member. He also loved gardening, wintering in Cape Coral, Florida, and spending time with family.

Larry is survived by his wife, Kate, his sister, Linda (Dunning) Mauro (Kettering, OH), his children: Todd Rengel (Jersey City, NJ), Randy Dunning (Hartland, MI), Scott Dunning (Byron Center, MI), Rebecca Roggensack (Madison, WI), Brianna (Dunning) Knox (Howard, WI), Kelly Mikkelson, Amy Schwarz, Chip Schwarz (LaCrosse, WI) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was a loving husband, father, community leader, and friend, and will be dearly missed.

No memorial ceremony is planned at this time but is being considered at a future date. Online condolences welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com

Larry and his family have requested that memorial gifts be made to the Howard-Suamico Education Foundation. To make a donation in Larry's memory:

Visit https://hseducationfoundation.org/how-to-help/donate.html

Or:

Howard-Suamico Education Foundation

2706 Lineville Road

Green Bay, WI 54313