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Laurence Moss Obituary
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Karen Vaughn
February 20, 2023
Larry was a dear friend and colleague for over 40 years. I dedicated my last book to his memory, "Essays in Austrian Economics and Political Economy," to acknowledge the important role he played in my life.
Sam Bostaph
February 20, 2023
My God, Larry, it´s been 14 years! I remember you were so looking forward to teaching in western Thailand-and then had to cancel that opportunity. Such a beautiful country, and developing rapidly at that time. Maybe your magic would have helped.
Dan Cashman
September 21, 2020
Dr. Moss was an excellent teacher and a very good magician. Many of us in his Theory of the Firm class in 1977 looked forward to his classes with great anticipation and we will truly miss him.
Dan Cashman
March 14, 2018
Widdy, It's so interesting that this former student of Larry's posted this now. I've been thinking of you and wanted to contact you. I recently asked Dotty if I should contact you, and she replied yes! This time...in the past she said "no". She was sad to learn of Mary's passing. She has recently been reminiscing and said she dreamt about Larry.
Love, Vicki
How you can show support
Robert Laney
March 13, 2018
Over 21 years have passed since my last interaction with Professor Moss. Despite his passing, his memory continues and his spirit is stronger than ever. I recall he used magic not only to entertain, but to educate. He used magic to illustrate the art of deception, which is behind almost every financial scandal.
As the 2008 economic meltdown unraveled, I often wondered what Professor Moss was thinking having no idea of his health issues. I'm citing Professor Moss in a project I've been working on. Specifically, it reads
"Late economist and Babson professor Larry Moss created developed and taught a course titled Processes of Technological Change. Professor Moss said technology always wins out, and he was right. Professor Moss also created a SCAMS AND FRAUDS class, educating undergrads how unscrupulous enterprises profit through deception and how airlines mastered of the art of deceit. He was right again."
Professor Moss, I'm fighting on and remember "WHOSE BURIED IN GRANTS TOMB?"
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-laney-a311061/
Thank you professor Moss. Your kind words hang on my wall above my diploma.
David Lance
January 24, 2018
Mukund Menda
June 8, 2012
I had the honor of having Professor Larry Moss teach me at Babson College in 2004. He was without a doubt one of the best life teachers I ever had and I will always remember him. The relevance of what he taught us was so important in the real world and I sincerely profess a gratitude towards him. Professor your magic in the classroom will never be forgotten and i know all other students of yours feel the same way. rest in peace, even now 7 1/2 years later i remember you and 3 years after you passed.
MJ Aher
January 13, 2012
Today Steven Levitt of 'Freakonomics' fame mentioned he had observed a disconnect between magic and economics and wondered why it was so, "Whatever it is that makes someone like economics, I think it tends to make them not like magic..." As one of Larry's former students I had to immediately correct this notion by mentioning Larry's love of magic and his use of it in the classroom. I was heartened to see many others Larry had touched had already posted their recollections of him. He is sorely missed.
Bernita Phipps
August 9, 2010
I was assigned a paper to analyze one of Robert Reich's writings and needed two additional sources to tie into this paper for my Critical Analysis and Written and Oral communcation. Through my research I found an excellent paper by Dr. Moss who before hand I knew nothing about. His paper is an excellent addtional source for my paper and has increased my understanding of the impact of economics in society and I am truly saddened by his loss.
Bernita Phipps
Widdy Ho
July 24, 2010
I wish to thank all those who have contributed to this Guest Book with all those wonderful and kind words about my late husband Larry whom I still dearly missed 17 months after his death. It is comforting for me to find out that he had touched so many people, his students, colleagues, friends, lecture/conference participants with his economic ideas delivered uniquely with a slight of hand and good humor. Thank you.
Widdy Ho, Boston, MA
Widdy Ho
July 24, 2010
I wish to thank all those who have contributed to this Guest Book with all those wonderful and kind words about my late husband Larry whom I still dearly missed 17 months after his death. It is comforting for me to find out that he had touched so many people, his students, colleagues, friends, lecture/conference participants with his economic ideas delivered uniquely with a slight of hand and good humor. Thank you.
Bob Raphael
July 24, 2010
The July issue of the American Journal of Economics and Sociology has two more tributes in Larry's memory - one written by his son, Joshua, and another by his sister, Vicki. You can read them on-line at the AJES website, if you are not a subscriber to the Journal. Our family continues to grieve our loss, celebrate his life, and draw comfort from our loving memories.
Amine Benali
February 25, 2010
I have just learned of Professor Moss's passing. It is saddening news and I wish to offer my condolences to his family. I was not in his Babson program. He taught a macroeconomics history course at the Harvard Extension that I enjoyed so much I had to take it twice
course description:
http://dcearc.harvard.edu/extension/1999-00/courses/econ.html#1020
He was truly an amazing teacher, and his magic tricks defeated whatever amount of attention deficit we had as college students. We miss him dearly.
Wyn Achenbaum
February 18, 2010
If you've not seen the newest issue of the American Journal of Economics and Sociology, please do! It is a fine tribute to Larry. "Laurence S. Moss, 1944-2009: Academic Iconoclast, Economist and Magician" Thank you, Widdy, for putting this together.
Joe Ricciardi
February 7, 2010
With the anniversary of Larry’s passing near, it is apparent the ache of his absence does not abate. He was a colleague like no other. He was at home as a libertarian and equally versed in Marx. Behind his professorial composure was a mischievous smile and gleam in his eyes, brat humor, scholarly persistence, a magic trick, and many, many times his weight in human compassion. He was the smartest of all rascals. There was always an economic lesson and he was trained like a laser to pursue those with unexamined positions. Every fiber was principled and Larry invited you to the barricades. And at Larry’s barricades, you would best be prepared to throw footnotes. We would be fool to leave Larry’s memory to return to a life of the routine, to entertain complacency, or be lacking in conviction. A scholar and admirer of Joseph Schumpeter, Larry understood well that social development and, indeed, life itself is necessarily disruptive of customary equilibrium. Never forget him.
Stan Hultin
June 7, 2009
I had Professor Moss for economics 25 years ago but still remember his class as being one of the most interesting experiences and useful lessons throughout business and life. When someone I knew was going to Babson I always said "you gotta take Prof. Moss for economics" I still smile when I think about time in his class. He was the best.
Linda Katz
May 4, 2009
I worked with Larry over my 9 years at Babson College as the Economics Division Coordinator and I will truly miss his jokes and stories the most. The students loved him and his classes were always overbooked. He would do his magic tricks for me and show me the games he would play with the students and I was always impressed with his wonderful demeanor. I will miss him dearly.
Dmitry Linkov
April 30, 2009
Professor Moss was an amazing person; a genuine and principled man. It was a privilege to be a student in his classes at Babson. A truly inspirational person, whose smile I can still remember even as he was fighting the disease. I will never forget him.
Fred Raskin
April 28, 2009
Larry took me (along with Josh) for my first visit to the Magic Castle in Los Angeles. I cannot imagine a better guide. He told us the history of the Castle, taking us on an in-depth tour of its maze of subterranean passageways, and of course, stopping to appreciate the prodigious talents of Irma. My astonishment at some of the tricks of the close-up magicians was palpable, and Larry, who was well-aware of the workings of each and every trick, was as impressed by the skills of the magicians as I was astonished. Of course, he would never reveal any of their secrets. My love of the art of magic (not to mention the Castle) continues to this day, and it began with Larry's enthusiasm for that art. He was a warm, kind-hearted man, and even in the difficulty of his later years, I never saw him without a smile on his face. He will be sorely missed.
Roman Ohrenstein
April 28, 2009
The following are Words that weep and tears that speak!
Your message about the passing of your beloved husband Larry, struck me like a thunderbolt in the midst of a sunny day. I am bereft of words to express my profound sadness that now fills my heart. I am overwhelmed by the irreperable loss of a great colleague and devoted friend. Alas,a shining star has fallen.
Not only was Dr. Laurence Moss a great scholar, a creative intellect and brilliant editor but he was also endowed with unusual qualities of heart and mind. His life was filled with warmth and generosity to everone who crossed his path.
May you, Widdy and family, find comfort and consolation in Larry's noble legacy. You who are most bereaved by his departure, were most graciously blessed by his life. You who lost most, have retained most. You who have the largest share of agony have the richest heritage of memory.
As for myself, I shall always cherish his sacred memory and
never forget all the kindnesses Larry bestowed upon me.
Honor to this fallen Star!
Blessed his sacred memory!
Ergis Sefa
April 24, 2009
Even I never had the chance to meet him personally, I am grateful to Professor Moss for his readiness and kindness in offering the possibility to built connection with the Journal of Economics and Sociology of whom he was editor. May our Lord accept his soul in benevolence and in His mercy.
George Dellaportas
April 21, 2009
Though I never met Professor Moss, I learn to admire and respect him as an Economist and Scholar through my association with AJES. The Journal and all of us would miss him.
Roger Garrison
April 3, 2009
I'm saddened by Larry's passing. I've known Larry for 35 years--since our participation in the Austrian Economics conference at South Royalton, VT in 1974. Larry was a young professor at UVa and I was looking to go to graduate school. I enrolled at UVa in 1975 and learned my History of Economic Thought from Larry. (And since it was a graduate-level course, I got to see his grad-level magic tricks!) Also, Larry organized and taught what had to be the first post-Royalton graduate course in Austrian Economics that year. He ran it as a seminar. On one occasion, Larry arranged for the whole (small) class to drive to Wash. D.C. and have lunch with F. A. Hayek. Wish we could do it all again, Larry.
Anthony Waterman
April 2, 2009
It is a great regret to me that I only began to know Larry late in his career and shortly before the effects of his cancer became apparent. In the few years of our friendship I came to have the highest regard for the range of his intellectual interests and his integrity as a scholar. He will be sorely missed in the community of HET students which he did so much to foster.
George Tavlas
March 30, 2009
To me, Larry was many things -- a dedicated scholar, a trusted friend, a considerate, courageous, and, above all, a giving person. He gave to his family, his friends, his academic community, his research fields, and the journal which he managed so successfully. He was a class person, all the way, in every way.
March 25, 2009
Larry’s battle with cancer was heroic. With his enormous brain power he brought new meanings to the notion of mind over matter. I am sure that none of this would have been possible without his wife support and the pleasure he found in intellectual pursuits. We will all miss him a lot.
Amos Witztum
Richard Cebula
March 21, 2009
Larry was an intelligent, hardworking, and creative scholar. More important, he was an honorable, honest, kind, understanding, and very decent human being. His warmth and professionalism will both be missed. I am very saddened by his passing, especially at such a young age. Richard Cebula
Ric Holt
March 16, 2009
Larry was such a generous man, and a fine scholar. He was communicating with me the week before he died about an article he asked me to review for his journal. He was always engaging with high academic standards. I plan to put together a session next year the Eastern Economic Association on Larry's work. If people are interested in participating, please get in touch with me.
Ric Holt
Southern Oregon Univeristy
Leland Yeager
March 16, 2009
Dear Friends: I am very sorry abiut the loss of Larry. I had known him at least since the late 1970s, when we were both at U.Va. Hw was respeted for his knowledge of Austrian economics, his competence in econometrics (nevertheless), and his talents as teacher and magician.
William "Sandy" Darity
March 15, 2009
My deepest, deepest sympathies. As others have noted, Larry was one of the most open-minded of economists, and one of the most deeply committed to maintaining wide-ranging inquiry in our field. He also was extraordinarily generous toward younger scholars and warm toward all. There are so very many of us who will miss him.
Mark Tomass
March 15, 2009
Larry was a regular contributor to the Kress Seminars that were held monthly at the Baker Library of Harvard Business School and later at the Economics Department, where I came to know him. His overwhelming positive energy and combative style kept everyone alert. Later as his colleague at Babson College, I came to appreciate his brazen honesty at faculty meetings. Larry scared all the Machiavellians and schemers. He even designed and taught a course entitled “Scams and Fraud.” When it came to teaching, Larry had the most fun and his students loved his classes. When it came to writing, Larry was a researchaholic. I recall his most beloved friend and wife Widdy asking me to persuade him to work less and pay more attention to himself. However, those of us who knew Larry well; we also knew it was futile to give him such advice. Nature made him as he was. Farewell my friend. I will never forget you.
Roger Koppl
March 15, 2009
Larry's passing is terrible event. He was a wonderful person, always upbeat and strong. I'm really sorry to have lost him.
Caroline Gerschlager
March 15, 2009
I am very sad to hear of his passing away. I got to meet Laurence Moss in person only once and that was in Paris a couple of years ago where he joined and enriched our workshop. It was a great pleasure meeting such an open-minded and committed person who liked to get involved into new things. He will always will be remembered.
Jocelyn Pixley
March 14, 2009
Dear Larry. You were at the forefront in creating a dialogue between economics and sociology in recent years. I first met Larry at an International Sociology Association meeting in Montreal in 1994. You were so generous, spirited, open-minded and interesting in our many discussions, and, with Widdy, the three of us have had a lot of fun over the years. I am so sorry, to all the family, and to Widdy, whom I always loved meeting as well.
Ted Gwartney
March 14, 2009
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Larry and Widdy produced The American Journal of Economics and Socialogy for the past 12 years. In his last week he finished the spring and summer editions. He brought scholarship and diversity to all who read the Journal. On behalf of the AJES Board, your contribution will be missed but never forgotten.
Laurence Shute
March 13, 2009
Larry's passing is a great loss. We boh wrote our dissertations at Columbia under Joseph Dorfman; we both spelled "Laurence" with a "u". Although our outlooks were vastly different, I always thought of Larry as a deeply honest and conscientious scholar.
Sumitra Shah
March 11, 2009
I met Larry Moss only once years ago when he came to give a Henry George lecture to my campus. What I remember well is that I could not accept the invitation for lunch which the host colleague extended afterwards. I would have loved to like the person whom you all so admired. My brief encounters with him on the HES list (thank you, dear man, for launching it) made me feel that he was very gracious and open-minded. Peace!
Karen Vaughn
March 11, 2009
Larry and I were friends from our Queens College days where we met through our mutual interest in economics and philosophy. For over forty years I valued his insight, his intellectual honesty and above all his infectious sense of humor. Working with him was always a joy. It is hard to believe that Larry will no longer light up the world his magic - in all of its meanings. My deepest sympathy to Widdy and Joshua. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you both.
Dave Colander
March 11, 2009
Larry was a true scholar--open to ideas, but always ready to challenge those ideas that didn't seem right to him. He was rightly admired by many. We will all miss him.
Carlo Zappia
March 11, 2009
The first time I travelled to the US to present a paper at the HES Larry was the host at Babson College. He introduced me to what was a totally new scientific environment in a such kind way that anytime I met him later it was like meeting a friend more than a colleage. With my deepest sympathy to Widdy
Matthias Klaes
March 11, 2009
With my deepest sympathies to his beloved ones. I remember Larry, whom I had the good fortune to get to know a bit during a memorable retreat in Northern Denmark about a decade ago, as a conceptually astute yet very generous scholar who would go out of his way to lend support to those of us only just embarking on our professional journeys.
Joshua Moss
March 10, 2009
To all who have taken the time to write an entry, I just wanted to thank you on behalf of my family and myself. My father fought bravely and never complained, and was busy working and reading and challenging himself up until the very end.
I recognize many of your names from talks with my father, and I know how deeply he enjoyed his collaborations and exchanges with all of you.
My father's greatest professional love was sharing with and engaging in discussions with his fellow colleagues and scholars. If any of you would like to get in touch with me, my email is [email protected]. I hope we can work together to continue my father's legacy and academic projects, as his love for ideas, passion for clarity of thought and belief in the productivity of the logic of argument remain with all of us who remember him and miss him.
James Ahiakpor
March 10, 2009
With deepest sympathy to Widdy, Joshua, and the family. It was with great shock to read of Larry's passing. A man of such great warmth and friendship. Alas, the expressed hope of meeting at the next HES conference will not be realized. He will be sorely missed.
Annie L. Cot
March 10, 2009
Larry: his bright intelligence, his amazingly powerful humour, his strong sense of friendship, his multiple talents as a writer, as a teacher, as an editor.
He would often tell some of us how much Widdy had helped him during these years, how much he could laugh with her about his disease, how much he loved her for that - and for everything else.
Historians of thought will miss him. His friends will miss him.
Malcolm Rutherford
March 10, 2009
I knew Larry for many years through the HES. My condolences go out to his family and particularly to Widdy. Larry contributed a great deal to the HES and to the history of economics. His presence will be missed.
Carlos Rodríguez Braun
March 10, 2009
I would like to thank Larry for his interest in the History of Economic Thought in Spain and Latin America.
Perry Mehrling
March 10, 2009
Larry added a welcome flash of color to the sometimes drab rags of our science. Thanks, Larry, you will be missed.
Craufurd Goodwin
March 10, 2009
Larry was a delightful man and good friend of everyone in the history of economics. He made many important contributions and was always ready to help others. All of us in het will miss him for a very long time. We offer our deepest sympathies to Widdy and the rest of his family. Craufurd Goodwin
Marie Duggan
March 10, 2009
When I gave my first public presentation at the History of Econoimcs talks in 2000, Larry Moss came up afterwards and said some encouraging words. It was clear he had read so much and had real wisdom. I felt I had met a kindred spirit, and I am so sorry to hear that he has passed on.
Neil Skaggs
March 10, 2009
Seeing Larry at the HES meetings was always a joy. He had both a sharp mind and a sharp wit. I will very much miss seeing Larry at the meetings.
Jonathon Mote
March 10, 2009
Professor Moss was a welcoming presence in the field of economics. My sincere condolences to the family. He will be sorely missed.
Thomas Moser
March 10, 2009
I was very sorry to hear this sad news. Even though I have not been a student of Larry, he gave me great encouragement when I worked in the area of History of Economic Thought in my Ph.D. days, simply by being genuinely interested in my work and by engaging me in constructive discussions. I never forget his excitement about ancient and medieval scholarly conventions, and his delight in “the Philosopher.” I wish his family my deepest sympathy and the necessary strength during this difficult time.
Neil Niman
March 10, 2009
I have known Larry for twenty years. He always took the time to offer a hand if someone needed help and he was one of the most creative thinkers I have ever met. He will be sorely missed by everyone.
Robin Neill
March 10, 2009
One of those who add to the lives they touch. I would have enjoyed more contact with Larry. Robin Neill
maria cristina Marcuzzo
March 10, 2009
A very nice and brave man. We will miss him.
Riccardo Faucci
March 10, 2009
Larry Moss was a member of the advisory board of "History of Economic Ideas" since its starting in 1993. We regret not to have utilised his great qualities as it should have been done.
Riccardo Faucci, Editor
Alexander Guerrero
March 10, 2009
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Clement Levallois
March 10, 2009
Larry visited our History of economics group in Cachan, France, and I remember his energy, passion, and his availability to younger scholars. And he wrote fine pieces in history of economic thought, too!
My sincere condolences to his family.
Roger Sandilands
March 10, 2009
Peter:
Thanks for sending the obit on the Mises blog. Larry spelled his name Laurence. He was a most interesting person and not at all fazed by having to use a speech box in later life to communicate. It did not dim his sense of humour and joie de vivre.
The Mises blog emphasizes his interest in Austrian monetary theory (not my own cup of tea), but the IU exec may like to know of his Georgist sympathies as indicated in a letter to me dated June 28, 2006 to accompany a copy he gifted me of Bob Andelson’s revised edition of Critics of Henry George: An appraisal of their strictures, in a series (on Economic Reform and Social Justice) published by Blackwell and edited by Larry. He wrote:
“I worked with Bob Andelson in his final days and he passed away shortly after the page proofs on his Critics were done. I know that he would have been delighted to see his work seriously cited…
“As you know from my few contributions to the recent debate on Georgist economics on the HES [History of Economics Society] network, I have a deep appreciation for that tradition (and the broader problems of land reform that haunted classical political economy – England and Ireland for example). I was delighted to see that you appreciate these difficult problems also and have a clear and thoughtful approach to the literature. You stood up well against your critics. There are grounds for treating land differently than capital goods and grouping them all together may not be appropriate at all times…”
- Roger
André Lapidus
March 10, 2009
Larry was a wonderful supporter of history of economic thought. We all know how helpful he was, especially to young scholars. Many people will miss him, all around the world.
Tiziano Raffaelli
March 10, 2009
I will miss his cordiality and the discussions on Marshallian issues. Larrie was a fine scholar and a charming person
David Levy
March 9, 2009
Courage, dedication and good humor. These words come to mind when I think back over the thirty-five years I knew Larry.
I think now of his magic tricks and the laughter of the early years. I think of his courage with which he fought the terrible illness. That was something of which we could not speak because it hurt too much.
When Larry, Widdy and last spoke, at York, I told them what a glorious gift to the young people in our history of economics it was that he was able to get his journal, the wonderful AJES, into JSTOR. He knew that JSTOR is the great equalizer in the scholarly universe.
This was his greatest magical trick. It was something that only The Great Larry could have done.
michael perelman
March 9, 2009
I only knew Larry from my conversations with him at economics conferences and as a reviewer and author for his journal. Although we differed greatly in our economic vision, trading ideas with him as with enormous pleasure. I deeply regret that I will no longer have that opportunity.
David Andrews
March 9, 2009
A true gentleman and an excellent scholar. My warmest regards to Larry's family and friends.
Manuel Santos Redondo
March 9, 2009
A really nice person and a fine scholar
Doug MacKenzie
March 9, 2009
Larry will be remembered for his fine scholarship and personal charm. He will be missed.
Humberto Barreto
March 8, 2009
I met Larry at a History of Economics conference in 1987. I would look forward to seeing him again each year at the conference to talk about Schumpeter, Bentham, Austrian Economics, and magic. It was impressive how he battled and continued working and learning. I will miss him.
Sandra Peart
March 8, 2009
Though I knew him first as a tireless supporter of the history of economic ideas and the young folks who are writing in the field, I came to realize over the past few years just what a brave person Larry was. I was so pleased that he attended the HES conference last spring and I will miss him dearly. Widdy -- please know how much all kinds of people are thinking of you.
Sam Bostaph
March 8, 2009
I am so sorry to learn of Larry's passing. It was Larry who stimulated me to write and contribute my first published article. He provided vital editing advice and remained a friend for over thirty years afterward. His lively mind and engaging presentations at conferences will never be forgotten by those privileged to know and respect him. Serious scholarship and the impassioned dedication to the truth has lost a great companion.
Ross Emmett
March 7, 2009
Larry was an excellent historian of economic thought, and a wonderful supporter of younger scholars in the field. He was President of the History of Economics Society in 1994-95 and was instrumental in the creation of the HES (now SHOE) email list for scholars in the field.
Wyn Achenbaum
March 1, 2009
I met Larry only twice, and had been looking forward to seeing him again at EEA this weekend. I'm saddened to learn of his passing. He made a wonderful contribution through his work on AJES, and he will be greatly missed.
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