Use the comment area to describe how you know Larry Keene. Include a description of yourself and a link to your own blog or website.
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I first met Keene when I was an eleven-year-old Tenderfoot Boy Scout in Troop 218, sponsored by Epiphany Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, California. Larry was a troop elder who taught me basic skills about hiking and camping as well as larger concepts of honor and faith. He was the only Scout I knew to receive the Pro Deo et Patri (God and Country) award, the highest honor for Scouts of the Lutheran Church. We played on the church fastpitch softball team together, where Larry showed surprising power at the plate and reckless abandon on the base paths. His baserunning motto was “Sin bravely.” When I was in high school and Larry was back from serving in Viet Nam, we began writing songs together, as I recently described on my website devoted to the eleventh-century polymath Ibn al-Haytham. We lost touch when I went away to college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Larry entered the seminary in, of all places, Saint Paul, Minnesota. We reconnected 30 years later via the Internet where I am now able to read Larry’s insights into life, love, and faith on regular basis. After all these years, I am still learning from him.
By: Bradley Steffens on December 3, 2008
at 10:31 pm
Larry & I connected when we served neighboring congregations in the Houston, TX area. I arrived in 1984 from Long Beach, CA and he’d arrived approximately within the same time period – give or take a year (or maybe a few months). We got acquainted by having breakfast and lunch upon occasion — as well as when attending various events that gathered the local clergy-types (and occasionally community leaders). We discovered we both had a thirst for a certain kind of humor — pretty “out of the box” for the most part — and we also had a thirst for good conversations on a host of topics and themes. Over time we also learned how to share “disgruntled parishioneers” who moved back and forth between our congregations when they became disenchanted with one of us or the other — or with the congregation itself (but I think it was mostly us!). Our friendship deepened over the years and while we are a bit further apart now geographically we consistently check in and get together for more breakfasts, lunches and/or a libation whenever possible. He’s a very smart dude — and more than a little “off-center” — which is my kind of friend!!
By: Paul Blom on December 6, 2008
at 1:05 am
I met Larry (2nd time? 3rd time?) on the golf course – most memorable meeting, so the first two times don’t count…. I never laughed so hard in my life. How he ever makes contact with the ball is beyond me. I think he violates at least three laws of physics. His honesty is his handicap – Yells “fore” takes five and puts down three. I have more ’stuff’, but excuse me, I have to have a stitch taken in my laff hernia, and start a “Roast Lar” blog.
By: Lauri Tokoi on December 6, 2008
at 5:41 am
I met Larry when I stumbled upon Messiah in 1985 in search of Sunday School for my 2 sons, then 5 & 2. Instead of just Sunday School I found a church home with a great Pastor. He was the reason we came back and stayed. Larry became a friend besides my Pastor and over the years, he confirmed both of my sons and performed the marriage the oldest. I served on several committees that he saw fit to draft me. He has a great abililty to read people and see their gifts. He knew that I had something to contribute to each committee even though I had not recognized it in the beginning. I have learned so much from him over the years through sermons, committee meetings and sharing a meal. After his “retirement” he became friends with my husband, Paul, (a non practicing Catholic). Paul only went to Messiah when the boys were in a Christmas pagent or were confirmed, but Larry & he were both retired at the time and found they had several interests between them, including being in the military during VietNam. I miss Larry as a teacher. When he was at Grace, I would drive there periodically to be able to hear one of his sermons, and always on Christmas Eve. Beaumont is too far even for a Larry sermon.
By: Carolyn Pavlovsky on December 6, 2008
at 7:50 am
I first met Larry when he, Sue and the children came to Messiah. A dynamic speaker and storyteller, we have shared a lot of history. Larry officiated at the funeral of my mother, Marjorie Morgan, and endeared himself to my family and friends. He confirmed my children…not an easy task with my boys. Baptized my great nephew and officiated at my daughter’s wedding. He and my husband, Russ, became friends during a VBS project of building benches Russ had a truck and tools. They both loved the sea. Larry as a passionate hobby, Russ as a career. We both left Messiah about the same time. I left Chrysalis Preschool and teaching Kindergarten at Messiah and neither exit was pretty. While Larry may not remember saying this I have kept the following compliment in my heart…he and Sue came for coffee following a spring break send-off for the youth going on a Colorado ski trip. We laughed, drank coffee and swapped stories for a while that morning. and then Larry said “I have always felt the most hospitality here around this table.” Thanks, Larry, I treasure the memories.
By: Kathy Russell on December 21, 2008
at 3:01 am
I must echo some of Mr. Steffens’ comments. I too became aquainted with Larry as a tenderfoot scout in troop 218 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, California and as a member of the congregation, there.
As I recall, Larry was one of the “big guys” and, to my preadolescent mind, one of the guys that had it all together, a role model, if you will. He also showed me that one could be spiritual, reverent and still “cool”. Until then, church was something to be endured, not enjoyed. But, I learned that, among other things, God wanted us to enjoy life, find the humor in it and not take some things too seriously.
I remember very well, his appearances at various youth gatherings with his guitar and the enthusiasm, talent that he shared.
In later years, I bought a house down the street from Larry’s family home in Canoga Park, enjoying renewed contact with his younger sister and her family, but have always wondered about Larry. Where he was. How he was doing.
Larry, if you are reading this, I would enjoy hearing from you and thanking you for all you gave to us kids back in the day. Like ripples in a pond, you touched the lives of many.
I’d also like to thank Brad for telling me about this blog. I think I will be a frequent visitor.
Let’s talk about that BB gun……
By: vern orth on December 27, 2008
at 6:29 am