Larry was the type of man who was hard to forget. He was very tall and had a wonderfully deep voice, a shock of snow-white hair and a calm demeanor.
Larry was an entrepreneur and opened his first business while in the seventh grade. He was a natural at business and his entrepreneurial skills led him to develop a variety of different businesses over the course of his life. From a late-night sandwich business while in college (University of Nebraska) he went on to create many businesses e.g., Friedlan Enterprises, Broker’s Alliance Mortgage, Crown Financial (a boutique consulting, investment and finance firm). He was visionary, accomplished, and exceled in Commercial Real Estate and Investments, Land Development, and financing for Resort Developments.
Larry was also musically inclined; a classical pianist and tenor, he sang with the Fort Collins Chorale at one point in time. He was also a naturally gifted athlete and received many accolades, winning awards like a State Junior Wrestling championship, the Nebraska State Bowling Championship, golf championships, and more. His strongest attraction was football, which he played from junior high through college. Upon graduating from University of Nebraska at Kearney, he was offered a spot on the practice squad for the San Diego Chargers. He always laughed that it was the only time in his life that he ever felt ‘rinky dinky.’
Interestingly, one of Larry’s favorite endeavors was working in chocolate. He opened a storefront and shipping business in Branson, Missouri. He was recognized by earning the delight of his neighbors and friends, and also received “The Word’s Best Chocolate Award” in 1986. Here in Fort Collins Larry was known as ‘The Chocolate Man’ because of the specialty chocolate items he made. He was especially proud of his chocolate covered potato chips, as was everyone else he gave them to. Larry also used his chocolate skills to put on charity events such as hosting ‘Chocolate Fantasy Nights’ that he made everything for and funded himself.
Despite his external accomplishments, it is his inner qualities that were his greatest attributes. One of Larry’s greatest enjoyments was helping other people to believe in themselves; to develop goals, to see ways they might achieve these goals, and to support them in getting past their fears and developing confidence in their own abilities. He was never afraid to take on challenging tasks and to live with the consequences when they didn’t always turn out.
Larry was also an amazing husband who single-handedly took care of his wife’s every need when she became ill and was bed-ridden for more than two years. Despite being in constant pain himself, he maintained a sweet loving disposition and made it clear that taking care of her was the joy in his life. This selflessness, extreme loyalty, devotion and kindness was at the heart of who he was and how he treated others.
Larry is survived by his wife Halldis Kelly, sister Angi (David) Bartine, daughters Lorrie (Christian) Fisher and Kaila Angello, three wonderful grandchildren (Taylor, Gus, and Rowan Fisher) that he was so proud of and held dear to his heart, and nieces Tessa (Joe) Oppenheimer and Casey (Jordan) Miller.
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