When I was beginning to engage with the men’s group on Kaua’i, and considering doing the ‘initiation weekend’, I had my apprehensions about feeling safe and sharing myself. The man who showed up to answer my questions and support me was Larry Ryan. He took time to meet me for dinner in Princeville where we talked. He had such a solid, trustworthy way of being. He mixed that with a fine sense of humor. Larry was an MKP men’s group man, yet not a zealot. He saw the limitations of the corporate structure of the national leadership, and believed, as did I then, in general, that the closer to the men on ground, to the community, the better the resource that a men’s group could be. 
Yes. Larry was an esteemed man in the circle. He earned that respect in large part as his wealth of wisdom did not influence an outsized ego. 
Mahalo for the gifts. Larry, mister Healing Wolf. 

Feb 5, 2021.  I miss you so much.  I am in Westbrook Senior Retirement Community & it’s very nice here, but not like the Regency in Lihue.  (Fun folks there are waiting for me to return, but I can’t for 3 reasons: one, you aren’t there; two, too expensive and three my son, grandkids & greatgrandkids all live on the mainland even though I haven’t seen anyone in person.  
Went through my first heavy snow storm,I didn’t drive but cleaning off my car was so hard over an hour to get it all done (6inches of snow) second one about same but that was harder to clean car off had to keep stopping-reason for stopping had a bad fall & hurt my back even more so standing more then 5 min is awful.
Over 10 weeks ago I fell at Hanna’s. Y missing the last 2 steps going downstairs. Had X-ray said only a sprain; which really wasn’t. I broke the left ankle very badly and have the AVN in the break area. I ended up with cast & it caused sores on my left foot so cast was changed every week then removed due to ulcer that developed so dressing changes needed to be done. Dr Brissey ( he’s great &you would like him ( only does ankles &feet) he also was military intelligence in the Army). I have lucked out rememberDr Teff my back surgeon in Arizona was military in Afghanistan& now Dr Brissey.
I got bad news yesterday from Dr, it’s not healing &it continues to be painful, Brutus know me I cope &try not to complain(Sue has her own problems &Hanna had knee surgery before Xmas & still is 
recovering. I am lonely stay in my apt most of time esp with the foot. I have a garage &lots of storage & best part its out of any more snow, which we had yesterday.  Remember when we used to go to forest preserve onQuentin Road when it was snowing. So pretty!
CRISSY is doing well, working 6 days a week she misses you so much. 
Well I will quit for now & go through more files as I do taxes at end of Feb. 


I have been in Illinois since July 29 with Hanna/Dewey and finally I have found Westbrook, a Senior Retirement Community which I moved into Dec 20, 2020.  A million more boxes to go through! I miss your smile,the way you would call me “ BABE”, the way you would brush my hair, our talks on medicine, being taught football.
I miss you so, I thought even when we had ups & down that we would grow old together. I was waiting for you at the Regency (new bed, your favorite chair, your music), but that was not meant to be. Friday March 27,2020 I received the call you were gone, I collapsed.
They were very kind to me, at the Regency,but I thought I was ready, you know this nurse who worked with end of life, but when it was personal, I failed. I tried the bargaining with GOD to not take you, but he knew best.. Now you have no more pain, as 
you asked me many many times to let you go and when you went into hospice that was the happiest you had been in a long long time. You told me you loved me & was glad I had talked with hospice. 3 days later on the 27th you were gone, gone forever. Now here I am in Illinois, freezing wishing I was back home but you weren’t there. I will write more later this is a way I can talk to you & know you are watching over me. My health is declining & I try but some days I ask why. My love I will talk later. I love you & miss you so!


Family ,friends, and fellow sojourners,
My interaction with 'Doc' goes back to William being in 4/5th grade and my partner Deborah Forester teaching arts and introducing a Waldorf aspect to the program at the time,  middle 90's as memory serves, then a lapse until  August 2010 when we reconnected as part of Mankind Project, Doc staffed as I went through my warrior weekend, and ever since a great mentor, friend and fellow Eagle Scout, many of our similar life experiences  shared so often in the past 10 years, a remarkable man who knew how to give from his heart and always left you feeling that you were understood and unconditionally accepted,  miss our time together big guy,  hold a space for me when we meet again,  love ya Bob

I love and miss you Grandpa. I know you are watching over all of us now. We will remember your noble character and loving heart. 

The first time I met Larry was on a wide open field at a park in Princeville, Kauai for a private men's circle 11yrs ago now. It was my first meeting. I still remember his presence, I  felt safe around Larry, and that was big for me at the time, because I didn't trust men further than I could throw them. His presence in those circles, over all those years, showed me what an elder felt like, how he carried the energy of healing and peace and how he made me feel safe and included. Larry didn't just hold the staff for our circles and adorn it with the energy of the men who earned it, Larry was the staff of the circle for me. He was the grounding rod, the one who always showed up on time, ready to serve.  A great many will miss you Larry, I will always remember you as the Healing Elder Wolf that helped me to trust men again. All of my love to your family and friends and those who knew the beautiful man that you are. 

WRITTEN FOR JEANNE FLAHERTY AT HER REQUEST

I MET LAR AND HIS WIFE, MARY JANE, WHEN I WORKED AT
PRINCEVILLE LIBRARY.  BOTH WERE PATRONS AND ACTIVE READERS; IN FACT MARY JANE RAN THE SUMMER  READING PROGRAM FOR 5 YEARS.

LAR WAS A BRIGHT MAN  AND HE KNEW AND TAUGHT COLLEGE LEVEL SCIENCE COURSES TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.  HE HAD A WRY SENSE OF HUMOR AND ALWAYS A QUICK RETORT.

HE WILL BE MISSED.

I wish I could have known my grandpa more but I’m  blessed to have been able to spend time with him and see him this past July. My favorite memory was when I got to go visit Hawaii for the summer when I was younger. He let me draw blood from is dummy that he used for his MA classes and he let me give him his insulin. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I will forever remember everything he taught me. He was someone you can go to about really anything. All my health concerns, that i was sure about, I could ask him and he would talk to me forever about it with such great insight. I miss you everyday Grandpa. Sofia and I love you! ❤️

He was a great father to me. He was dedicated, loving, and supportive. I have so many fond memories of our time together. I learned so much from him about how to be a father to my own children, and I am forever grateful for that. I think of him and miss him every day.

I love you, dad.

Miss you more and more each day grandpa! Love you! 

He was my rock growing up.  He taught me so much. I wish I could tell him how much I appreciate everything he did. I love you papa❤

Dearest Larry, I miss you more each day and can’t believe u r gone and not coming home.  I see so many things I want to tell , but you not here! Today at Regency we took the bus driven by Euness and since today April 9th is your birthday, I put your picture on my phone that  Philip took, so you were joining me on the bus ride. We saw the Nawilliwill  boat harbor, ocean was calm,then we went to Kauai Marriott and drove around golf course, u would love it so great & beautiful. We took the wrong turn  & ended up drive thru airport main front & were stopped at Road Block & they smiled at us & let us go, then back to the Regency. THANK YOU FOR EVERY THING

With a stout heart and sensitive nature, my dear friend Larry embodied practicality and optimism. May blessings be for all your next adventures, Healing Elder Wolf.

OBITUARY

Laurence Walter Ryan

April 9, 1939 – March 27, 2020

Borthwick Kauaʻi Mortuary

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