Hi Robert -- I knew Larry since the 50's, through Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Ira Russel's Webelos, and throughout high school. Unfortunately we didn't see each other again after we graduated; he headed for the military and I went to school in San Diego.
My earliest recollections of him were in my mom's Cub Scout Den 4--she took the den over from John, Ed, and Tom Pickrell's mom, Edna. I'm sure that Larry was in Mrs. Pickrell's den before that. Others that were in that den were Terry Little and Mark Goodsen, and my brothers Alan and Paul.
Larry was a freckle-faced, feisty, and energetic little guy that loved to wrestle anybody. He'd take on anyone twice his size...and usually outlast them. I still remember when he and Terry Little wrestled long and hard in the dirt until they ended up in a draw, both, sweaty, red-faced and totally wasted. Even though your brother took his wrestling seriously, I never saw him hold a grudge though. He was a real friendly character and those were great days.
Most of us Pioneer Pointers called him "Keeling" but I think it might have been Ed Pickrell who stuck him with the "Tarzan" moniker. There's still stories out there about your brother that you probably need to hear (like when Larry and Ed Barker took on a few CHP's) but I only heard the story second hand so I'll let someone who was there tell you about those.
I have a couple of black and white photos of us in Webelos with Ed, Tom, Larry, and myself probably taken in the summer of '59 in storage. I'll try to dig 'em out this weekend and scan and send 'em to you. One, in particular, gets me all foggy-eyed every time I look at it...reminding me of good times and good friends...like Larry. ---Eric Bengtson
Hi Robert,
I sure do remember Larry. He was one great friend. He was in my class in school. I remember what a great football player he was in high school. When he lived in Pioneer Point he lived just down the street from me. I remember him as a paper boy for awhile and he would always stop at my house and talk. I think of him often. What a wonderful friend he was to me and everyone he knew. He was really special. I will always miss him.
