- Date Of Birth: December 15, 1956
- Date Of Death: January 4, 2022
- State: Iowa
Laurencio “Larry” Poblacion Berenguel, Jr, 65, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at Mercy One Des Moines Medical Center on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. He was born December 15, 1956, in Manila, Philippines, to Laurence Canciller Berenguel and Aurora Poblacion Berenguel. When he was 14 years old, his family immigrated to West Des Moines, Iowa.
He was a 1974 graduate of Des Moines Tech High School and studied engineering at Iowa State University for 3 years. Although he began playing the guitar in grade school, it was during his time in college where his love for the craft really evolved and he realized that playing the guitar was all he wanted to do. Years later he would become a master at the art and play and sing for church, weddings, and numerous community events primarily for the Filipino American Association of Iowa, the Iowa Asian Alliance, the Des Moines Farmers Market, Dam to Dam, AARP and numerous local restaurants and bars in the Des Moines area which included Orlandos, Crave Bar, Grill and Fondue, Gino’s West, Applebees, Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, Star Bar, Hy-Vee Market Grill, Chucks, and Big Al’s BBQ.
Larry met the love of his life Barbara “Barb” Jean Lopez in 1977 at the Joker Lounge (a disco club) where they both shared the love of dancing. Although Larry was a quiet, reserved man, he mustered up the courage to ask Barb to dance. She was so impressed with his dance moves and sparks flew. They were married on August 26, 1978 and started their family; they welcomed their first daughter, Monica, in 1979.
Their first and only son, Anthony, was born in 1980, followed by their second daughter, Amanda, born in 1981, and finally their youngest daughter, Julia, was born in 1983. Although they were busy and had their hands full with 4 young children, Larry found time to continue to play music and joined a local band, Latin Connection. Before going primarily solo, Larry was a part of other bands such as Latino Pride, Latin Touch, RPB (Reaching Perfect Balance), and most recently, Menlo Park. He also often played alongside the Vida Sisters and many other local musicians in the Des Moines area.
For work, Larry’s career began as a draftsman and evolved into becoming a technical writer where he was able to really apply his engineering studies. His employers included Ryko, Coating Machinery Systems, Purple Star, Wittern Group, and most recently TransLux/Fair Play before he officially retired in December 2021.
In Barb and Larry’s 43 years of marriage, they loved spending time with their family, going to their 4 kids and 11 grandkids sporting and extracurricular events, dancing, going to concerts and being involved at All Saints Parish. Larry had a green thumb and he took pride in his yard and garden and enjoyed taking photos of his flowers. Larry was a man with strong faith and was very involved with his church. For over 30 years until his death, Larry was dedicated to his church’s music program where the people of All Saints Catholic Church were blessed to hear him sing, play his guitar and percussion instruments as well as being a member in the Adult and Youth Choirs. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Larry is survived by his wife, Barbara Berenguel of Des Moines, IA; children, Monica Berenguel of Des Moines, IA, Anthony Berenguel of Denver, CO, Amanda (Jason) Smolka of Palatine, IL, and Julia (Tyler) Bradshaw of Johnston, IA; grandchildren Joshua Zanders, Gabriella Zanders, Andrew Bradshaw, Samuel Zanders, Haley Bradshaw, Unique Zanders, Naomi Zanders, Anaya Berenguel, Margaret Rose Smolka, Delfina Smolka, and Phillip Smolka; great-grandchild Arlo Zanders; father, Laurence Berenguel of Las Vegas, NV; brother Leonardo Berenguel of the Philippines and his children Stacy, Alex, Leo Jr., Olivia and Thomas; uncle Emilio Poblacion of the Philippines and his children Nicanor, Aya, and Paulita; aunt Dr. Violeta Poblacion Pineda and her husband Teotimo de Leon Pineda of Las Vegas, NV and their daughter Maria-Elena; the children of his Uncle Ernesto: Ernest Jr., Tony and Cristina Poblacion; and his many cousins and extended family in both the U.S. and the Philippines.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Gregorio and Natividad Poblacion of Manila, Philippines; his mother Aurora Berenguel of Las Vegas, NV; his uncles Gregorio Poblacion, Jr. of the Philippines and Ernesto Poblacion of San Jose, CA; and his aunts Felina and Rosita Poblacion of the Philippines.
