Larry H. Banks

Dear Ruthann,

I just wanted you to know that my prayers are with you and your family.

Dr. Banks was an intelligent, hilarious, compassionate man, and I am grateful for having been a student of his during my years at Hawken School. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
In peace,
Keara Mullen '98

Kind, generous, supportive, engaging, challenging: these are the words that come to mind when I think of Larry Banks. He had a profound influence on me, helping to generate both confidence and passion about learning, as well as values that have stayed with me through all aspects of my life. My deepest sympathies to the Banks family and all of his friends during this difficult time.

To the Banks family, Dr Banks was fair and open minded, and understood the importance of fun in learning. He could simplify an economic theory to its purest form, make a joke, and catch someone out who was not listening, all at the same instant. Dr. Banks lectured without ego and listened with the ear of someone who cared. he will be missed.

Dear Banks Family,

Dr. Banks was such a staple of the Hawken community - I remember him always grinning through the hallways. I had him as a teacher 10-11 years ago and I still will randomly remember stories he told us about people falling into silos in Iowa, among other things. We all feel lucky to have had him as a teacher.

Larry Banks was a good man, tried and true. A better friend I never had. The world was a better place with him and is a sadder place without him. But all of us who knew him will carry some of his joy and spirit throughout our lives. And so, he lives on in the loving memories of those fortunate enough to have known him.
Larry Nelson

When I arrived at Hawken in 9th grade, Dr. Banks' economics class was one of the first I attended. We got homework on the first day, sort of shocking coming from public school. It was a page of questions based on the text. I answered all of them...Yes, Yes, No, etc. and turned them in on day 2.

On day 3, Dr. Banks told the class he had graded a disheartening and unacceptable homework assignment. "It wasn't anyone in this class, mind you, but I don't want it happening in this...

Dear Banks Family - My condolences to your entire family on your loss. A wonderful teacher, and an even better person! Made history and economics enjoyable. Sincerely, Scott Fromson (79)

Dear Banks Family: Please accept my most heartfelt thoughts and prayers. Larry Banks made a real impact on me through his teaching. The things I'll always remember: his absolute mastery of the subject knowledge; his sense of humor and irreverence; his unique insights on the material; his unmatched ability to make complex material make sense; and above all, the very real passion that he brought to class every day. Larry Banks challenged me as a student, and as a person, and in doing so, he...