As my mind was wandering today (4/27/19), I found myself in a “whatever happened to” mode of thinking and Larry’s name popped into my head. When I Googled his name I found this memorial page and was saddened to learn of his untimely death. I graduated from SUNY Cortland in 1976 with a degree in philosophy. I wasn’t a very good student but I was enthusiastic about the subject and I think, if nothing else, Larry appreciated my interest. I played many games of racquetball with Larry and won some games but don’t recall ever winning a match, as Larry was keenly competitive and skilled at the game. I also spent many hours in his office talking and playing word games. I enjoyed his hospitality and meals at his home on many occasions which made this young student feel special. We shared a pleasure in humorous puns that would leave others groaning. Larry was acutely intelligent, kind and good-humored. I mourn his death, but grateful I knew him. - Wayne Palmeter, Buffalo, NY

I could not attend the memorial service for Larry, so I want to add one more facet to the glowing person that was Larry Ashley. Actually, though, as perhaps we all are doing, I'm doing this for myself. Because thinking about who Larry was helps me be the better person I imagine myself. He thought a lot, thought deeply, about most issues he encountered. Re-reading some of his pieces in the UUP newsletter, The Cause, you see why Cortland racked up journalism awards year after year when Larry was president. And if writing an article caused Larry to master another concept in the course of understanding the issues, well that was satisfying, too. I first met Larry when I was early at the campus, sometime in the mid-1970's, when he offered me a lift up the Neubig Road hill in a little British sports car he drove. What a sweet spot he had for all things British, I learned later. One of my last conversations with Larry was a call I made to his cell phone. That afternoon he picked up in Weed, California, where he was happily sitting looking at Mt. Shasta outside their RV, reading a biography of Roosevelt, and he described how much Pat, the dogs, and he liked the life they were leading and the places they'd visit out there. (He'd absorbed that in 1970 some 50% of the pencils made in the world came from Mt. Shasta cedar trees.) We talked about an issue that I'd wanted to consult him on, and as usual, he presented me with several ideas that illustrated again how much more completely he thought through issues than some of us do. And while the issue I brought him wasn't huge, he devoted his attention fully to it -- if it was important to someone else, it usually became important to Larry. To Pat and Chris -- be well, grieve however you can, and know that we remember Larry too. --Dave Ritchie, Memorial Library, SUNY Cortland

Larry was a generous and kind man. A true friend. I'm so sorry not to be at the celebration of his life. Gretchen Herrmann