Soapbox

I was asked by my mother to compose the epitaph for Larry, my step-father. This is what I wrote. It was later edited by a family member who didn’t feel it was appropriate for the newspaper, but I think Larry would have been fine with it.

All of nature today mourns the loss of a beloved friend and photosynthesis advocate, Laurence A. Larson, PhD. Dr. Larson went home to be with Darwin on Thursday, November 9th at his home, after an extended illness.

Larry was born in Cleveland, Ohio on the 17th of March, 1930 to Arthur and Elizabeth Larson. After serving in the U.S. Army Artillery, he attended Ohio University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. Larry went on to earn a Masters in Botany from the University of Tennessee and a PhD in Botany from Purdue University. In 1963 he returned to Athens to join the teaching faculty, where he had a long and distinguished career, including being twice given the Deans Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was an outstanding educator in every way and considered it a privilege to introduce college freshmen to the poetry and magic that is Biology 101. In 1978 a grateful student body voted him University Professor in the college of Arts and Sciences.

Larry was indeed both a scientist and an artist, as anyone who is fortunate enough to own one of his beautiful ceramic pots or brass rubbings can attest. He was also an important force behind the Athens Food Pantry for many years, a member of the United Campus ministry and worked with prisoners in the Chillicothe Correctional Facility.

Outside of Porter Hall, Larry will be best remembered in the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, where his enthusiasm, unflagging baritone and abiding faith made him a pillar of the church in the truest sense.

Dr. Larson is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Stout) Larson. Larry is deeply mourned by his first wife Joanne and their two daughters, Betsy Wetmore (Terry) of Jacksonville, Florida and Amy Dinger (John) of Syracuse, New York and four grandchildren, Lauren and Garrison Wetmore and Brooke and Jake Dinger, by numerous step-children, step grandchildren, hoardes of friends and co-workers, and even by random strangers he met from time to time in the produce aisle at Krogers. Because that’s just the kind of man Larry was.

A Eucharist in celebration of Larry’s life will be held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 11th at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Athens Food Pantry would make Larry smile.

As usual, Larry himself put it best when he wrote, on the occasion of his retirement from teaching:

As firmly cemented clamshells
Fall apart in autumn
So I must take to the road again
Farewell, my friends.

Farewell, Larry!