Laurence E. Lynn, Jr.

To the family and friends. Larry looms large in my life. I learned to value my intellect and to have confidence in my ability to complete the rigors of the SSA doctoral program with his guidance. He eagerly read all aspects of my research and delighted in even the notes that gave more "flavor" about my subject, Harold Washington, and my interviewees. Together we made local and national news as I was his administration's Assistant Dean for Recruitment and Placement. He was certainly larger than life. Once I told him, "Larry having your undivided attention is like being in the sunshine." I treasure Pat who I saw as the most wonderful wife and mother; she never seemed to let anything get in the way of her good humor. Fare the well my boss, mentor and colleague.

I worked with Larry in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1965 to 1967, when we were junior Army officers. Larry was a good colleague, smart and ambitious. Although we lost touch many years ago, I still recall our days as MacNamara Wizz Kids. I am so sorry to learn of his passing and offer my condolences to his family.

Larry was the single most important influence in my academic and professional life. From the time he hired me (off the street) at the Kennedy School in the 1970s to our long time together at the University of Chicago, Larry was a great mentor, collaborator, and friend. He opened up amazing lifetime opportunities for me, too many to list. He provided his always-rigorous feedback and advice.

It was never dull with Larry - he loved being provocative, challenging, and innovative.

His impact on the fields of public policy and public management was unparalleled. Coming out of his public service, including his crafting of the so-called "Mega Proposal" at HEW, he was an intellectual leader in both research and training in the nascent fields of public policy analysis and public management.

Larry was incredibly smart, productive, and influential. Kissinger called him the smartest person he ever met. His research and writing spanned an enormous range of intellectual and professional interests - from public policy case studies, to income maintenance and poverty, empirical approaches to public management, to leadership, and so many other productive areas of scholarship. (Later he turned his prodigious talent to poetry.) He trained and inspired countless students and colleagues.

He was also fun and had a life. Betsy and I were fortunate to experience Pat and Larry in their New Hampshire phase (taking care of their beloved husky Anton and skunk Chumpsie). They partied at our wedding. Later we also experienced such Lynn activities as New Year´s Eves in county music bars, canoeing the Kanakakee river, enjoying good food and drink. But most important was their friendship.

Although Larry´s cv-of-life is jaw-dropping, it still does not do justice to all of the impact and influence he had over such an interesting and robust career.

Thank you Larry for all you did for me and for the world. You were unique and amazing. One of the expressions you taught me, sui generis, describes you perfectly.

To Pat and the family, my deep appreciation and sympathy.

Larry was a wonderful man: joyful, forgiving, brilliant and fiercely loyal. He was a wonderful mentor and boss, always supportive and tolerant. Without his guidance and wisdom, my life would have been so much more challenging to negotiate. I am eternally grateful for his gifts and hope that Pat and his family will accept my most sincere condolences. In my life, Larry was a hero. May he rest in eternal peace.