Lawrence J. Enders, M.D. (Colonel, USAF Ret.) passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the age of 93, at his home in Ft. Worth, Texas. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 14, 1931, Larry spent his early years in his hometown before embarking on an extraordinary journey of service, science, and family.

Larry attended Marquette University in Wisconsin, where he earned both his bachelor's degree and medical degree from Marquette Medical School. Following graduation, he entered the United States Air Force, where his passion for flying led him to request Flight Surgeon training. His enthusiasm did not go unnoticed, and the Air Force offered him a prestigious opportunity—a four-year program that included T-33 jet flight training, a Master of Public Health degree, and advanced aerospace medicine training at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas.

Upon completing the rigorous program and passing all examinations, Larry was certified in Preventive and Aerospace Medicine. He earned his MPH from the University of California, Berkeley and completed extensive survival and aerospace training, including parachute jump school, ejection seat training, and survival programs across diverse environments—from the Arctic to the jungle.

His first duty station was Otis AFB in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where he also trained in submarine medicine. He was awarded the Winged S pin for a heroic rescue during a storm and later received the Air Defense Command Flight Surgeon of the Year award.

Larry was then selected to support NASA's Project Mercury, examining astronaut candidates and monitoring astronauts during orbital missions. He formed close bonds with several of the pioneering astronauts during the Mercury and Gemini programs.

When the Vietnam conflict escalated, Larry returned to full-time Air Force duty, serving at a jungle air base in Southeast Asia. There, he treated both troops and villagers, flew 75 combat missions, and was awarded two Air Medals. Upon returning stateside, he became Chief of the Aeromedical Consultation Service, helping rehabilitate grounded pilots, and was instrumental in launching the Air Force's first dysbarism management service using hyperbaric chambers.

Promoted to full Colonel, Larry later served as Chief Flight Surgeon for the Air Defense Command and was selected to attend the Air War College. He went on to command the hospitals at Edwards AFB and Eglin AFB. He was ultimately appointed Commander of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio. Though listed for promotion to Brigadier General, Larry chose to retire after 23 years of decorated service.

Following military retirement, Larry became the first Medical Director of Celanese Chemical Company, establishing global health programs and pioneering a computerized health and safety monitoring system. He retired from Celanese in 1997.

Larry and his beloved wife Janet later moved to Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where he shared his passion for medicine by teaching advanced anatomy and physiology to nursing and pre-med students. In 2008, they relocated to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and in 2018, they settled in Fort Worth, Texas to be closer to family. During this time, Larry also turned to writing—authoring an autobiographical book titled Surviving Serendipity, and co-authoring another, Red Letters, with his son David, chronicling his remarkable friendship with a Russian agent.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Anna Enders; his sister, Shirley and her husbands, Jack and Bob; an infant son, Larry; his stepson, Shawn; and his son-in-law, George.

He is survived by his first wife, Joan, and their children: Steve Enders (Sandy), Kathy Rapach, Kris Doyle, Terry Enders (Anne), and David Enders (Polly); his second wife, Anne, and their children: Melissa Brown (Dan) and Debbie Sexxton Golden; and by his third wife, Janet, and her son, Chris Mikula (Jennifer), along with many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fly high, Dad. You are deeply loved and will be forever missed.