Larry Edward Bluthardt

Our honored guest today came into the world as Larry Edward Bluthardt, January 19, 1947. His proud parents were Raymond J. and Geraldine Mae (Crosby) Bluthardt.

Ogden, Kansas, was his “hood” and he even attended grade school there. He was part of the graduating class of 1965 at Manhattan High School.

He was fortunate that his mom and dad let him join Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts which they volunteered in his every activity. That kept him out of trouble most of the time and he even achieved top rank of Eagle Scout in 1963.

As a teenager he was the lead singer and played electric guitar in his own band “The Eighth Wonder”. His parents chaperoned Teen Town in Ogden where Butch danced with all the girls and sang to them those great songs of the 50’s and 60’s.

His first job was at Fort Riley Army base as a civilian employee. He joined Riley County Police Department in 1969 and served for 10 years. He then was an instructor at the Police Academy in Hutchinson, KS. The job he enjoyed the most was with the Kansas Department of Education as Transportation School Bus Director which took him all across Kansas training the school bus drivers.

He was the founder and promoter of the Horizontal Nystagmus Test (HGN) which is the standard field sobriety test still being used today with police and the Highway Patrol.

Larry married Rebecca Kay Berry on March 31, 1969, in Manhattan. They lived in Ogden, Manhattan, Hutchinson and Eureka. They later divorced.

Survivors include his two daughters, Jantzie of Manhattan and Amanda of Clay Center; his sister Jeri Swoboda (David) of Dover, DE; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Butch, Blue, Papa Bear, Butchie Boy, enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, antiquing, pulling pranks and telling stories. Anyone that every met Larry left with the laughter, jokes and the feeling that they had just been with Santa Claus.

February 28, 2022, Butch’s, 19 year-old grandson Teygan passed away. The very next day, March 1st, Butch met him at the gates of glory. Papa (Butch) and Hot Rod (Teygan) are together, they were loved by all.

A Celebration of Butch’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 4th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel. Private inurnment will be at a later date in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on "Send Condolences" on this page.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jayhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts of America for Eagle Projects. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.