Lawrence Oliver "Kobe" Koberstein

Lawrence Oliver “Kobe” Koberstein passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, at the age of 81. Born on September 3, 1944 to Ruby Helen McMaster and Virgil Luther Koberstein, he lived a life that felt far larger than the years he was given.

Kobe somehow fit a thousand lifetimes into just eight decades. He was a Marine, a Vietnam veteran, a cancer survivor, a father, brother, husband, grandfather, uncle, son, and friend. He answered to many names – Larry, Kobe, Uncle Kobe, Pops, Grandpa K., Dad. However you addressed him, he brought an abundance of love, laughter, and light to the lives of all who were fortunate enough to cross his path.

A carpenter by trade for most of his life, Kobe was a talented woodworker and craftsman, exceptional at anything from prestigious remodels to carefully carved figurines and jewelry. His love for his family and friends reached far and ran deep. After spending around 20 years on Mummy Mountain in Nevada doing construction, he moved back to the Midwest to be nearer to his family, and remained there until he was laid to rest – with the exception of a few years where he embraced his wanderlust once again, and set off in his camper van to travel the West. Wherever he found himself, Kobe lived without reserve, uninhibited, fearlessly authentic, and wholly himself. He carried a deep love for the Lord, anchoring himself in his faith in every aspect of his life.

Kobe saw beauty and adventure everywhere; in a sunrise over snowcapped peaks, in a shared laugh over a game of chess, in a tender moment with his beloved dog, in the simple ritual of a morning cup of coffee. Or an afternoon cup of coffee, or an evening cup of coffee, or a midnight cup of coffee, for his coffee mug was as ever-present as his long white beard, which he stopped shaving at the age of 27 and never looked back.

Kobe is survived by his son, Koby; stepdaughter, Kathie; brother, Ken; sisters, Arleen, Dee, Gerry and Pat; and many cherished nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and friends. He was preceded by his parents, Ruby and Virgil.

A  public visitation will take place Friday, August 22, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, St. Peters, located at 837 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, St. Peters, MO, 63376. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM at the same location.

To know Kobe was to know the wildness of the Nevada mountains, the softness of the Colorado pine forests, and the warmth of the Midwest suburbs. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever loved.