He was a good soul

My heart is breaking as I write this: one of our former students, a beloved man who was as tender-hearted as anyone you’ll ever meet, died on Monday after a year-long battle with cancer. Larry was an unusual story from the get-go, coming to us after a running around with some bikers, leading what he called “an evil life.” He had worked in construction and decided that he wanted to help people in a different way, so he came back to school and went into the radiography program. Larry graduated in 2007 – one of the happiest days of his life – and went to work in the radiology department of a local hospital.

The last time I saw him he had come back to campus to speak to a group of students. He wanted to tell his story and help change some lives, and I know he did. Larry looked a little thin, but his voice was the same – matter of fact, loud, always warm – and he hugged me just as hard as ever. When I asked him to speak I didn’t know he had been ill, and I quickly withdrew my request when he told me about his chemo and radiation. But he argued with me and said that even if he had to come in a wheelchair, he was coming to speak to these students.

When he left campus that day he hugged me and said, “I’ll be in touch with you, Elizabeth, you know I will.” He promised to keep me posted on his health, but I didn’t follow up. I never called to check on him, I never asked around and today his obituary appeared in the newspaper. He was one of the kind souls that reaches deep into your heart and sticks around.

Larry, I hope that I will always remember your outlook on life, your wide open arms and your love for your fellow man. One thing is for certain – I will never, ever forget you.