Larry O. Nighswander

Larry O. Nighswander

CASSELBERRY, FL: Larry O. Nighswander of Casselberry, Florida died November 26, 2014 at the age of 66. He was born in Fremont, Ohio on April 5, 1948 to Stewart and Wanda (Mutchler) Nighswander.

Larry grew up in Bettsville where he had his first job delivering newspapers on his bike at a very early age. He also worked at Hartsels store in Bettsville until leaving for college. He began his photography career by freelancing while still attending Bettsville High School. When attending Bowling Green State University, he worked summers taking pictures for the Fostoria Review Times.

Larry worked at The Cleveland Press, The Cincinnati Post, The Columbus Dispatch, and The Washington Times. At the The Bonnier Corp. he was the director of photography, where he also served as director of photography for Saveur Magazine, Florida Travel+ Life, Garden Design and American Photo. He was also a picture editor at National Gergraphic and Assistant Director of the picture editing department at National Geographic Magazine. He picture edited over 25 published stories. He has had pictures published in over 50 publications including Time, People, Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Life among many other magazines. Several of his written articles have appeared in Saveur Magazine. He has published 4 books He was a college photography professor and director of the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University.

He has been a speaker at several national and international professional seminars. He was active in regional, national, and international photographic educational programs. He also served as a consultant to several magazines and newspapers both in the United States and abroad. He was a judge for several photography and design competitions including Pictures of the Year International, Society for News Design, The White House Photographers, and the Scripps Howard National Journalism Award.

He was Scripps Howard Designer of the Year (twice). He was awarded the Magazine Picture Editor of the Year.

In 1976 several of his photograhpy friends decended on the village of Bettsville. They made a video of the town and it's people. He never forgot where he got his start and gave back in a way the people still remember.

Survivors include his sisters Mary Alice (Gary) Hammer of Arizona, Arlene (Michael) Messina of Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews; he also leaves his little buddies Scooter and Buddy. Preceeding him in death was his mom Wanda (Mutchler) Nighswander and his dad Stewart Nighswander.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 11:30-230pm at the Harry P. Leu Garden, 1920 N. Forest Ave Orlando, FL.

In lieu of flowers or gifts the family would like any donations to be given to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice in his memory.