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In Memoriam
Lawrence Henry, 1948-2009
Wlady Pleszczynski
On Tuesday we received word that our beloved columnist, Larry Henry, died on Monday, February 9 -- his 61st birthday -- at Youville Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, of complications of kidney disease. It was a condition about which he wrote soberly, expertly, and terrifyingly, yet always with utter clarity and not without his characteristic American and human charm. Now you know why for the longest time I found it a most reassuring pleasure to append this bioline to his Friday columns, "Lawrence Henry writes every week from North Andover, Massachusetts." Whatever his condition, no one wielded a healthier pen.
Just as we revived our website in early 2002, Larry came along, a Godsend. He wrote like a dream, and his interests were ultra-catholic: politics, family, church, community, books, golf, tennis, holidays, business, economics, America, old cars, fruitcakes, life. He came from all over. Born in South Dakota, high school in Minnesota, college in New York, PR and other work in Los Angeles, rock band tours wherever. He'd been hellish in his youth, rough on father (his "My Vietnam War" could be the finest thing of its kind), just one of many rough patches. By the time I knew him he was serene, with beautiful wife and children, and soon to move from the Garden State to Massachusetts. I was sad for him then -- no one had ever described a lovelier New Jersey.
But he didn't leave before also taking an appropriate shot at Sen. Robert Torricelli -- and in so doing he revealed something about his own troubling health. It was a gun to his head, yet he functioned regardless, forever busy, pursuing countless interests, paying attention to everything around him, filing impeccable fresh copy every week, sometimes twice a week. Simply remarkable.
I met him only twice, once when he was visiting his sister in Northern Virginia -- he saw Jed Babbin the same afternoon we met -- then a few years later a day or two after Christmas, at a Borders, this time in the company of his sweet younger son, Joe. His arm was in a sling, one of the side-effects of a daily life -- now requiring frequent dialysis -- that he endured without complaint. He could still drive, after all. I walked him to his car, one of those big old American contraptions, as I recall, and he seemed happy as heck as he and Joe drove off.
*****
Shawn Macomber
In the early 1970s, Larry Henry authored a slim volume for Scholastic on the mechanics of songwriting entitled, Rock and Roll Songwriter's Handbook. Typical of Larry, the book was a multidimensional work. It might help you write a decent tune or live a fuller life…or both. Everything was in the mix. "Anything that takes so little effort to create demands even less energy to appreciate," Henry advised. "A cliché will surprise your listener so little that he won't even hear it. If you need to communicate, you need to be original."
Larry lived his word. He was nothing if not original -- and he was something, indeed, so that settles that. Readers became acquainted with his singular voice and intellect through sparkling, wide-ranging columns exploring love, life, regret, politics, illness, faith, the little things, the big things, the minute, the transcendent.
Again, it was all in the mix.
I myself was privileged enough to know the man a bit; to experience first hand the generous spirit, encouragement and personal kindness Larry extended freely, even while carrying the burden of a fierce, sadly implacable illness. I've also had the distinct honor of meeting his remarkable, lovely wife, Sally, as well as his beloved sons, Bud and Joe -- brilliant, unique little guys, whom Larry had taught, in true Rock and Roll Songwriter's Handbook style, the importance of not only doing the hard work necessary to internalize the backbeat of the rules, immutable truths and wisdom accumulated by humankind between the vast expanse of time immemorial and our comparative eye-blink of a life, but also the joy and freedom of having the ability to improvise in an uncertain world. Larry was that kind of guy.
I couldn't be more sorry they've lost a husband and father. Yet I take a measure of comfort knowing such great living testimonies to Larry will carry on beyond him.
Larry Henry was better than his time, certainly, and while I don't think his writing has (thus far) received near the attention or acclaim it deserves, it speaks very highly of The American Spectator and its Editorial Director Wlady Pleszczynski that Henry found an enthusiastic home at the magazine. Larry was proud of the affiliation. We should be prouder that Larry saw fit to hang his shingle here.
Once after some falafel, Larry took me to one of his favorite stores, Brookline News and Gift -- a crazy place, overflowing with oddities and novelties, clearly organized around the idea that an intriguing mass trumped coherence. Larry slowly strolled the tight aisles, smiling as he leaned into get a closer look at the wonders of this or that shelf, perfectly content to go searching for the bric-a-brac in a curio haystack.
Comments
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Rick Parker| 2.13.09 @ 6:23AM
This is heartbreaking news. I've followed Larry's journey through his columns for several years now and have always been amazed at his cheerful attitude. I'll really miss his outlook on life.
Is there a way we can send our condolences to his wife and children?
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Craig| 2.13.09 @ 6:25AM
A sad day indeed....his thoughts in his final days were so encouraging to me. I will miss him. Rest in peace.
Bill Lannon| 2.13.09 @ 6:35AM
I am devastated. I too have been a faithful reader and admirer of Larry Henry for years. His wit and courage were inspiring. As the years passed and he revealed more of his history, I was amazed at the scope of his experience and the wisdom he drew from it. I will miss particularly that feeling that a friend was in each and every column.
Were TAS to compile a collection of his work, I would buy several copies in a heartbeat.
My condolences to his many friends and especially his family. May he rest in peace.
Melvin| 2.13.09 @ 6:58AM
God speed Lawrence, now that you are beginning your next journey free of pain and want. I'm sure Saint Peter will be looking forward to your next article.
Will P| 2.13.09 @ 7:22AM
I always loved his column, but I had no idea so many other people felt the same way. His introspectiveness was somehow moving - how many columnists can be described in that way?
Jim| 2.13.09 @ 8:19AM
Lawrence Henry's poignant columns on his kidney disease led me to offer a kidney as a non-directed donor. Thanks, Lawrence, for making me a better person; you will be missed.
Doug Sjostrom| 2.13.09 @ 8:57AM
I'd been a long time reader and fan when I introduced myself in an email as a "Fellow Exile in Massachusetts" living in the next town. Larry was home recovering from his quadruple bypass. I was surprised to receive an invitation to visit him at home which I did shortly thereafter. We took a short ride around the more historical parts of North Andover in my newly restored MGA. It was a brief visit that left me wanting to spend more time. Much more. Godspeed Larry.
Paul| 2.13.09 @ 9:26AM
Truly a loss for us Am Spec faithful.
Mimi Evans Winship| 2.13.09 @ 9:39AM
He had barely entered middle age,
This well crafted and beloved sage.
Through his pen were years of gems begotten.
He will clearly never be forgotten.
Anastasia Mather| 2.13.09 @ 9:41AM
This is sad news. Another great light gone, a man who knew what a man's life consisted of mistakes and all.
As another commenter said, a collection of his writings would be snapped up.
Ned| 2.13.09 @ 10:20AM
I try to read something from American Spectator at least a few times a week. I always look for Lawrence Henry, lately with a sense of hope. When he is not present I go looking, with continued hope, to the archives to see if I have missed a column.
Today I found him front and center. It will be a sadder day for me, but also a reminder of the greatness of the human spirit, a gift from God.
Anthony| 2.13.09 @ 10:21AM
A funny and witty man with a greater sense of purpose than just to himself. We will miss you. Godspeed.
Lou| 2.13.09 @ 10:41AM
I have been dreading this day.
How is it that someone I knew only through his writings could make me feel I had a friend in him? What an exceptional man he was.
Vern Crisler| 2.13.09 @ 11:21AM
I had been wondering what had happened to Lawrence Henry. I hadn't seen any of his columns recently and I thought about writing AmSpec last week to ask how he was doing. I was afraid he wasn't doing well.
Unfortunately, the disease he wrote about so poignantly caught up with him and took his life. Those of us who followed his pain, his disappointment, and his grace can take courage from a life so well lived and a death so well endured.
I am not afraid to die, said St. Augustine, for we have a kind Lord.
Marie| 2.13.09 @ 11:23AM
I feel such a profound sadness reading of Lawrence Henry's death. Loved his writtings. Will miss him big time. May he rest in peace and God bless his family!
Bill Croke| 2.13.09 @ 11:51AM
Larry, R.I.P. And best wishes to his family.
Paul Petersen| 2.13.09 @ 11:51AM
Lawrence was a such a great distraction from the drum beat of political jousting we all get revved up for at TAS. It was always refreshing to hear his personal reflections on life, leisure, family, faith and friends. His perspective will be missed.
Paul
Sam Haldi| 2.13.09 @ 11:54AM
God bless you Mr. Henry. Thank you for enriching my life and allowing me the gift of reading your writing.
Charles Hutchinson| 2.13.09 @ 12:11PM
I am the twin brother of Lawrence Henry's dad'
Just why he became L.H. instead of Larry
Hutchinson is part of who is was. I never quite
knew. We re-connected about a doz. yrs ago. I'm
so glad we did! I visited him in NJ and Boston.
Eric| 2.13.09 @ 1:14PM
I will miss Mr. Henry’s columns which were a joy to read. His style was calm, clear, humble and just plain old enjoyable without the shrill and vapid commentary that plagues many online magazines and newspapers. My condolences to his family and friends
IMKessel| 2.13.09 @ 1:40PM
Mr. Henry's life was an inspiration.
Now may his memory be a blessing.
Rest in peace.
ruth| 2.13.09 @ 1:51PM
Mr. Henry, you will be sorely missed. I've loved reading your many fine columns over the years and have considered you a friend. I am glad that you no longer suffer and that you are in the Lord's hands now. Rest in peace, sir.
Rose | 2.13.09 @ 2:05PM
I do hope you will do a compilation of Lawrence Henry's very fine writing, wit and wisdom. It will be timeless in the manner of E.B. White. God bless his wife and sons and all of his friends who must now endure the silence left behind.
David Hanson| 2.13.09 @ 3:58PM
Over the years Larry Henry's words at TAS have delighted my soul. Now his soul joins the "great multitude which no man can number...standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Rev. 7:9)" Let's not weep, but rejoice for Larry's victory over death--and trust in the same Lord Jesus as Larry did that He will reunite us with Larry someday.
Alan Brooks| 2.13.09 @ 4:18PM
as more members of the patrimony pass on, the sadder life gets.
and then we have to make life up (play it by ear) as we go along-- that is mostly what we're doing.
Alan Brooks| 2.13.09 @ 4:22PM
...and life with less solid conservatives is not more serendipitous, it is more anarchistic.
not the same thing.
regards and comfort to his family.
Pingback| 2.13.09 @ 5:03PM
New Paltz Journal » Blog Archive » Lawrence Henry, a damned fine writer, has died links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Alan Brooks| 2.13.09 @ 6:41PM
chance favors the prepared, not the wild
John | 2.13.09 @ 11:33PM
Whoa. Thanks so much for the lovely tributes to Lawrence Henry. I've only known him through his wonderful writing. Wish I could have known him as "Larry." I have a very few special friends who remind me of him. There's not time enough in a single lifespan to find more than a few such. Thanks so much. My family's prayers go out to his family.
Merlin| 2.14.09 @ 12:56AM
I'll miss him, also. Condolences to his family.
Alan Brooks| 2.14.09 @ 8:00PM
no wonder life gets gnarlier, all the good people die off.
stmichrick| 2.15.09 @ 11:55AM
Wow. What a loss.
Go to the 'Contributors' page. Click on 'Lawerence Henry.' Start reading the columns.
What a goldmine.
What a loss.
Faffnir| 2.15.09 @ 8:57PM
Lord, have mercy on the soul of Lawrence Henry. He was a good writer. I envy his talent. He will be missed.
Robert L.| 2.16.09 @ 3:52AM
Go now, my brother. Your trials are over. I wished that you had one more recovery in you; you will be missed far more than you allowed yourself to believe. When they are old enough, I will tell your boys of what a real and true friend their father was. In the end, really, there is nothing more than this.
So I hope you are in a place with all the cigars and cheap opinions you could ask for, effortlessly breathing clouds and sweet dreams while someone else besides you feels obligated to smack those guys in the mouth. Maybe now, finally, you'll have enough time and enough air to practice your clarinet. No more excuses. I mean it.
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