Larry was my good buddy all through high school and beyond. He got married while studying at DeVry, while I went and got a teaching degree. I lost track of him around 1975 when I moved to Antioch, IL. We re-connected at a high school reunion about 25 years ago that was held in Morton Grove.
Larry had health issues that were very serious. He and I shared that problem. He kept fighting back and fighting back, seriously pursuing a full life of boating and living at his summer cabin with his wife, Helen. He was known as "the mayor" of his little island summer habitat. Larry liked to joke, laugh and eat. Whenever we were his guest, you could count on a good meal. He was a kind person, as well. When Shelly Elias (class of '64) was too sick to ride to his office in the loop, Larry would pick him up and take him to and from work. If Larry was your friend, you had a best friend you could count on.
I visited my friend in the hospital the day before he died. I don't know if he could hear me giving him a pep talk, but apparently God had another plan for him. Wherever Larry is now, you can bet he's at the center of having a good time. Guaranteed!
Larry, Paul Hain, Mike Hansen, and Larry were inseparable friends during high school. We set up and played in every pep rally and participated in all the concert band events. We had a hoot visiting the elementary schools that fed Niles West as part of the band, again arriving early by travelling in the truck with all the instruments and equipment to help set things up. We remained friends through college attending each other's weddings and watching our families grow. Since 2010, we've hosted small band reunions -- Larry was at the first two along with Mr. Groeling, our director, who recently passed. We feel forturnate we were able to rekindle our friendships and play our instruments together a few last times before losing these two wonderful people.
Larry and I played in the Lincoln Jr Hi Orchestra. I played the trombone ahd , as i remember, he the trumpet. Our music teacher, Mr Flemming, had a funny habit of getting mad when we missed a note, and throwing his baton at us. His favorite target was the tuba player. I remember how painful it was for the horn section who wore braces. We used a red wax to cover our braces but couldn't stop our gums from bleeding.
Larry discovered his stomach muscles were harder than anyone elses from playing music, in jr hi. He would dare us to punch him in the stomach as hard as we could. The last time I met larry was at the 10 yr reunion and I had the opportunity to again punch him in the stomachas hard as I could. Iron man I think, was a field engineer at the time. I'll miss one last time to punch Larry again.
Glenn Aimmerman and I have kept up all these years. I was planning on driving him , in my rv, to the reunion. Glenn is fighting the big C and has chemotherapy through August. He could use a support system and I know he would relish the memories u have of Niles West and Lincoln Hall.
I have waited to post on Larry's In Memory page, because there is just so much I wanted to say. I remember hanging out with the band members on some of the field trips. I loved to hear the marching band practicing cadences outside when the windows were open in the classrooms. I still have my Skokie Swift "I Rode First Day" buttons, and know the secret handshake - thumb up! I think Larry invented it. I wonder, how many of you guys still have your lederhosen from the German Band? Lunch hours were never dull at West!
After High School, we stayed friends. There was one camping trip I recall, and the result of it was "Wrong Window!!" You would have to have been there to understand that one, for sure!
I finally got to see Larry's beloved "Island," but only after he was gone. I can only imagine the good times he had there over the years. I know he loved it.
You guys said it all, but I have to reiterate- if Larry was your friend, you had a friend for life, one that you could count on in good and bad times. He is, and always will be, remembered with love and missed by all who were fortunate to have known him, especially me.
Thumb up, Lar!
~Barbara~
P.S. Larry joined that big band in the sky on February 16, 2010. You can see the obituary from the Chicago Tribune here:
Paul Richard Hain
Larry was my good buddy all through high school and beyond. He got married while studying at DeVry, while I went and got a teaching degree. I lost track of him around 1975 when I moved to Antioch, IL. We re-connected at a high school reunion about 25 years ago that was held in Morton Grove.
Larry had health issues that were very serious. He and I shared that problem. He kept fighting back and fighting back, seriously pursuing a full life of boating and living at his summer cabin with his wife, Helen. He was known as "the mayor" of his little island summer habitat. Larry liked to joke, laugh and eat. Whenever we were his guest, you could count on a good meal. He was a kind person, as well. When Shelly Elias (class of '64) was too sick to ride to his office in the loop, Larry would pick him up and take him to and from work. If Larry was your friend, you had a best friend you could count on.
I visited my friend in the hospital the day before he died. I don't know if he could hear me giving him a pep talk, but apparently God had another plan for him. Wherever Larry is now, you can bet he's at the center of having a good time. Guaranteed!
Scott Mermel
Larry, Paul Hain, Mike Hansen, and Larry were inseparable friends during high school. We set up and played in every pep rally and participated in all the concert band events. We had a hoot visiting the elementary schools that fed Niles West as part of the band, again arriving early by travelling in the truck with all the instruments and equipment to help set things up. We remained friends through college attending each other's weddings and watching our families grow. Since 2010, we've hosted small band reunions -- Larry was at the first two along with Mr. Groeling, our director, who recently passed. We feel forturnate we were able to rekindle our friendships and play our instruments together a few last times before losing these two wonderful people.
Robert Earl Olson
Larry and I played in the Lincoln Jr Hi Orchestra. I played the trombone ahd , as i remember, he the trumpet. Our music teacher, Mr Flemming, had a funny habit of getting mad when we missed a note, and throwing his baton at us. His favorite target was the tuba player. I remember how painful it was for the horn section who wore braces. We used a red wax to cover our braces but couldn't stop our gums from bleeding.
Larry discovered his stomach muscles were harder than anyone elses from playing music, in jr hi. He would dare us to punch him in the stomach as hard as we could. The last time I met larry was at the 10 yr reunion and I had the opportunity to again punch him in the stomachas hard as I could. Iron man I think, was a field engineer at the time. I'll miss one last time to punch Larry again.
Glenn Aimmerman and I have kept up all these years. I was planning on driving him , in my rv, to the reunion. Glenn is fighting the big C and has chemotherapy through August. He could use a support system and I know he would relish the memories u have of Niles West and Lincoln Hall.
Barbara Lynn Johnson
I have waited to post on Larry's In Memory page, because there is just so much I wanted to say. I remember hanging out with the band members on some of the field trips. I loved to hear the marching band practicing cadences outside when the windows were open in the classrooms. I still have my Skokie Swift "I Rode First Day" buttons, and know the secret handshake - thumb up! I think Larry invented it. I wonder, how many of you guys still have your lederhosen from the German Band? Lunch hours were never dull at West!
After High School, we stayed friends. There was one camping trip I recall, and the result of it was "Wrong Window!!" You would have to have been there to understand that one, for sure!
I finally got to see Larry's beloved "Island," but only after he was gone. I can only imagine the good times he had there over the years. I know he loved it.
You guys said it all, but I have to reiterate- if Larry was your friend, you had a friend for life, one that you could count on in good and bad times. He is, and always will be, remembered with love and missed by all who were fortunate to have known him, especially me.
Thumb up, Lar!
~Barbara~
P.S. Larry joined that big band in the sky on February 16, 2010. You can see the obituary from the Chicago Tribune here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=larry-r-burkhardt&pid=139819870