David M. Larabee

David Larabee was a kind, gentle soul who was always pleasant and seemed to be forever in a good mood. As a schoolmate, I found him grounded, studious, and quick with a smile. He was also a formidable chess opponent!

I remember a time when I had composed a new piano piece and played it for the class. While the others giggled and snickered, David spoke up and said, "Wow. That's good. I really like it!" Everyone else quieted down and we went on. That selection was later...

To the Larabee Family-

I am so sorry to have learned of the loss of David. I only knew and remember David as a energitic 10 year old that was always giggling and always having fun in whatever he was doing, full of life and always happy. For just a short time I lived across the street from your family in Bowing Green. I truly loved your family and have always carried good memories of times shared with each of you. Over the years I have often wondered what happened to...

Mr. Larabee was the best teacher I have ever known. He somehow made the things you didn't want to learn interesting, and easier for you to grasp. But not only was he a great teacher, he believed in every student that entered his classroom. He pushed their limits and made students want to learn. Every year since eighth grade, Mr. Larabee would stop me in the halls and ask me if I was ready for the GTCTM and encouraged to do my best on it. He inspired me so much, he believed in my abilities...

Mr. Larabee was a phenomenal teacher dedicated to seeing his students succeed. The first week of my senior year at Ottawa Hills High School, I decided to drop calculus. I had struggled through pre-cal and didn't want the stress. As I sat in the guidance counselor's office waiting to strike the course from my schedule, in ran Mr. Larabee, encouraging me not to drop the class. He promised he'd help me through it. While I mentally cursed him for not letting me take the easy way out, I consented...

No amount of words could possibly describe the kind of person Mr. Larabee was, or what his passing will mean to all of us. He was a remarkable teacher and human being, and his passion for life will be remembered by all. I consider myself blessed to have known him. May his spirit live on through all the wonderful memories he has left us with, he will always be with us.

When I heard about Mr. Larabee's death I was torn. I never had him for a teacher but those who did always said that he was the best teacher they ever had. To lose an amazing teacher is so upsetting. When I would see him in the hallways, he was just so happy, he always had the biggest smile on his face. I could tell that he enjoyed everything in life. Even though I didn't have him as a teacher, I knew him as a person. He was so nice, friendly, and a very positive person from what I could tell....

your gentle and patient smile
with sadness we recall.
you had a kindly word for each,
and died beloved by all.

the voice is mute and stilled the heart
that loved us well and true
ah, bitter was the trail
to part from one so good as you

you are not forgotten loved one
nor will you ever be
as long as life and memory last
we will remember thee.

we miss you now
our hearts are sore
as time goes by we miss you...

We all are stumbling to find the words to describe who Mr. Larabee has been to us. To me, he was the man who noticed that both physics and calculus were too much for me to handle half was through the semester. We decided that I understood physics more, and spent every free minute before class, during lunch and studyhall making sure that I would pass calculus... which with his help and guidance, I did. (He also taught me the wonders of writing upside down as he worked across the table from...

I had Mr. Larabee as a physics teacher at St. Francis in 1992. He made a difficult subject interesting to learn and always was excited about teaching.

I'm sad that he is no longer with us.