From: Pam Dalan
Date: 22 May 2006
On Thursday May 11,2006, the Fifth Lecture of the Everett Alpine Scramble Class was in session. Larry moderates the class this year and he was there- dressed in a conservative blue button down shirt and pair of slacks. Larry has been a very big presence in keeping this class, and indeed our whole branch, alive and thriving. He is kind to everyone and is always communicating how to be safe and have a lot of fun in the mountains. One of his jobs Thursday was to invite the class to National Trails Day for trail work parties. As he was describing them, he began to unbutton his shirt. One female voice called from the audience, "Would you like music to do that?" He smiled graciously and kept on removing his shirt. He folded it neatly on the chair. He was telling folks that if they came out on June 3, their would be a branch work party with lots of fun and gifts. He then started to unzip his pants and there was a lot of interest in the subject. Underneath his slacks he had on work jeans. He told us that he wanted us to see the clothing and gear needed to work on trails. He pulled on work boots, gloves, and hard hat, talking all the while about why we wear these items. Then he announced that the US Forest Service would supply the ice axe. (Our class had just spent two days learning to use their ice axes in snow conditions). He reached into the hallway behind him and pulled out a huge pick with a big mattock on the end. He got a lot of good laughs while conveying that a fun time would be guaranteed at the Everett Mountaineers Trails Day work party. It is still unbelievable that he has gone up into the highest mountains without us. Doesn't he always include us? And together we go safely up and then back home? We know he can't come home now, and it breaks our hearts. We love you Larry! Thank you for everything you have done for us, all ten gazillion things, small and big. You taught us to enjoy the mountains, to respect them and travel thoughtfully and safely into them. I invite all Everett members, present, past and future, to honor Larry's memory by caring for our club and one another so that future generations can learn these wonderful skills. We will see him again in the great bye and bye. For now we will carry on his legacy with love.