1965 ~ Dr. Larry Leonard Steinbrenner ~ 2026 "A Memorial Service was held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 - 67A Street (Taylor Drive) Red Deer, Alberta on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in honour of Larry may be sent to the Central Cancer Society at https://cancer.ca/en/"

Dr. Larry Leonard Steinbrenner passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the age of 61 years. Larry was born in Coaldale, Alberta, on February 5, 1965, to Len and Karen Steinbrenner. He was awarded a BA in English at the University of Lethbridge and then pursued a Master of Arts in English at the University of Calgary. He worked as a freelance writer and as a photo editor but changed his career course and pursued both a Master’s and a PhD in archaeology at the University of Calgary.

A noted archaeologist of the region of Central America known as Greater Nicoya, Larry did his dissertation work in Nicaragua and wrote an important study of the ceramics of the area. While working on his dissertation, he moved to Red Deer to teach anthropology and archaeology at Red Deer College (now Red Deer Polytechnic). There he began a long career, acting as the Head of Anthropology for many years.

This is where he also met his wife, Heather Marcovitch. They married in June 2015 and two years later welcomed a daughter, Lyta.

Larry published articles on the ceramics of Nicaragua and Costa Rica in archaeology journals and presented widely at academic conferences. In 2021, after years of research, Larry was the lead editor on the book The Archaeology of Greater Nicoya: Two Decades of Research in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which has been seen as a major contribution to understanding the archaeology of Central America.

He also served as the President of the Red Deer Archaeology Society, a community group which brought in speakers to discuss both Alberta and international archaeology.

In addition to his archaeological work, Larry was an accomplished musician. Guitar was his passion, as was folk and roots music. He was involved in the Lethbridge Folk Society when he lived in the area and was a busker when he was a student at the University of Calgary. In Red Deer, he was a frequent performer at the open mic nights at the Velvet Olive. He was particularly proud of being invited to perform at the Lethbridge Folk Festival in the summer of 2024 where he performed his original songs.

Larry had a boundless knowledge of fantasy and science fiction, detective fiction, and classic comic books. He was a dedicated runner and marathoner. His love for his family grounded him and had his devotion. He cherished his friends and his relationships with them.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Heather, and his daughter, Lyta; his parents, Len and Karen; his sisters, Sherrie Nickel and Lori Katterhagen; his brother-in-law Greg Katterhagen; his niece and nephews and his great-nieces and great-nephew.

A Memorial Service was held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive) Red Deer, Alberta on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in honour of Larry may be sent to the Central Cancer Society at https://cancer.ca/en/. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com.