Lawrence E. Payne

Larry was the ideal Ph.D. advisor for me in 1964-65 and a steadfast friend thereafter. Always smiling and of good heart. A positive contributor to the world.
Karl Gustafson

I first knew Professor Payne from his work long time ago at the beginning of my career. His work continues to be a great source of inspiration in my research. I shall not forget meeting him at Cornell in 1994.

I was Larry's last PHD at the University of Maryland in 1965 as he left for Cornell. I always told everyone that I was very lucky to have had Larry select me as one of his PHD students. Larry is featured as one of my four key mentors in Chapter 8 of my forthcoming autobiography " The Crossing of Heaven ", Springer, January, 2012.

Larry was my friend and mentor from the day I arrived at Cornell in October 1980. He was a gentle and great man. I learned so much from him. He visited us last in October 2008. In June 2011 Jan and I purposedly made a trip to Ithaca to see him. We were fortunate to have been able to spend time with him. We miss him a lot.

Fadil Santosa

Professor Payne was my advisor at Cornell. He is a model for my life. He was a kind and virtuous man. I learned a great deal from him. He taught me to be kind to my students. He was always a source of inspiration in my professional life.I learned from him to love research and do it. When I was in trouble he did all he could to help me. I loved him and he will live in my mind and my heart. I will miss him.

Professor Payne was my advisor and is a model for me in my life. I learned from him many things. He was a very kind and virtuous man. He taught me to respect research in my professional life. He taught me to care about my students. When I was in deep trouble he did all he could to help me. I loved him and adored him. I will miss him for the rest of my life.

Our parents went back many years with the old St Catherine's gang and I will always fondly remember them! In more recent years your dad was Mom's go to guy to man the coffee pot at events, they were always dear friends. I imagine they are having a grand reunion in Heaven. Both of your parents and you are in my prayers! Fondly, Marie Cappucci McCrone

I’m sorry I didn’t get to know my Uncle Larry better. I heard about him from my parents and they both spoke highly of him. I remember when he came to my dad’s funeral thinking what a kind and special man he was. My condolences to my cousins and all who new him. I’m sure he will be greatly missed.

It was my great good fortune to get Larry as my thesis advisor just before he let the University of Maryland for Cornell. He gave so generously of his time and great knowledge of mathematics. I know he was very interested in genealogy and it is with great interest that I found that his mathematical ancestors go back to Carl Frederick Gauss, arguably the best mathematician of all time!