The Valley Reporter - Dr. Lawrence Myers

Dr. Lawrence Myers, age 85, of Waitsfield, Vermont, died suddenly the evening of February 2, 2008. He is survived by Helen Marsh Myers, his wife of 51 years, and by two sons: Dr. Lawrence C. Myers, his daughter-in-law Li Wang, and granddaughter Vivian of Norwich, Vermont; and Daniel Myers, his daughter-in-law Marcia Bird, and grandson Robbie, of Anchorage, Alaska. He spent much of his life as an educator and was always devoted to the interests of all children but especially his grandchildren, who he adored.

He was born in Newtown Heights, New York, on November 11, 1922, the son of Johanna (Guertler) and Lawrence J. Myers. After growing up in New York City he spent five years as an aerial navigator in the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Pacific during World War II. He returned to begin his education in the Great Books program at St. Johns College in Annapolis, continued at the University of Chicago and New York University where he received two master's degrees, and finally a Ph.D. from Union Graduate School.

Dr. Myers left behind a successful business career in New York to begin his love affair with childhood education. He became an educator who affected the lives of many young people, first directly as an elementary school teacher in New Jersey, and then in Vermont, and through his work in programs directed toward improving educational practices. He was an enthusiastic teacher advocate who believed that the best way of helping others to learn was having the learners participate in the learning process at all levels. He was a tenured professor at Johnson State College for more than 20 years, retiring in 1994. Through his work there with student teachers, he influenced hundreds of students who have since become teachers throughout Vermont and elsewhere. His love of education was truly life long as he continued mentoring and politicking to improve education till the end.

Larry Myers always worked to promote youth sports: as president of the Mad River Valley Little League, as a founder and first president of Harwood Hockey, and an active fund raiser for its many sports teams. Each year the Harwood tennis team presents the Larry Myers Award to its two most improved players. Other civic contributions include being a founder and board member of the Mad River Medical Center and, since retiring, serving on the boards of the Dartmouth Center for Aging and the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice.

His love of life was obvious to all who knew Larry Myers.

He felt most fortunate to have been a resident of Vermont where he found so many friends he admired and loved. An informal commemorative (potluck) gathering will be held at the Moretown Town Hall on Sunday, February 10, at 2:30 p.m. (please bring your children). All who knew him are welcome to join us and remember him and tell a story. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that any remembrance be sent to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.