Further tribute to Larry Maher

Matt Pearl

I was saddened to hear last Saturday of the death of a friend of mine who held the respect of this entire area.

That man was Larry Maher.

Larry and I spoke several weeks ago, and I always enjoyed my conversation with the veteran educator, mathematician, computer enthusiast and devoted small-towner. He was a wonder.

There are occasions when we, living in our small communities, meet an individual who by strength of mind or body seems to belong on a larger stage.

I have no doubt that Larry could have contributed to larger, higher profile projects with his intellect during his life, but I respect him for living in the place he loved.

Mr. Maher taught in Union Star years ago, and had enjoyed instructing students and coaching the academic bowl teams at Stanberry for many years. He had fought sickness, physical trauma and all the pain, frustration and inconvenience that went with his afflictions.

But he carried on.

I respected him as a teacher, and I certainly saw him guide several talented academic teams to District success and State appearances. He would call on me at times to moderate the meets, and often I had to tell him no because of prior committments. I wish I had a couple of those times back now.

We understood one another in several ways during our talks.

We were individuals who, like many of you, seemed entangled in this curious little section of the universe, this rural northwest Missouri community. Larry had left an unmistakable mark on our local towns, a teacher who embodied strength, even when living in a body that had been weakened by the ravages of human misfortune.

There is no need for us to make more of such people in death than they demonstrated in life. But each time we lose such a strong community figure, I hope it gives us pause to take mental note of how important such folks are to our rural lives.

I read a Facebook post by a Stanberry graduate and coach, Jerry McMillen, who selected the perfect quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in memory of his former teacher:

“Lives of great men all remind us

“We can make our lives sublime,

“And, departing, leave behind us

“Footprints on the sands of time. . . .”

Jerry had Mr. Maher pegged.

And many others will come and go, leaving behind their positive contributions to our communities — the days that lie ahead belong to you and to me.

What would a man who spent more than four decades as a local educator wish for us to do in memory of him?

He loved knowledge, so out of respect, we must each seek to know more.

He studied mathematics, the sciences, literature and other such pursuits, so let us encourage our children (and ourselves) to make the teaching of such valuable information our own call.

He loved family and friends.

He showed dedication in his work, his interests and in the various aspects of his life.

To honor him, we ought to see these practices for what they were — virtues — and follow suit.

Larry Maher has died, and we are saddened, but he lived the life of an extraordinary man.

And we are thankful for the time we had him here among us.