Like many others I am touched and saddened by Larry's death and offer my condolences and thoughts to his family and friends.
I met Larry in 2000 on a Pelagian trip to Komodo. Certainly one of the best divemasters in the world, he left a lasting impression on me with his enthusiasm for diving and devotion to his guests. I have memories of 3 special dives on that trip. On one dive a lens popped out of my mask, so I was going to abort the dive and started to ascend when Larry grabbed me and offered me his mask so I could complete the dive. He wore my mask with one lens for the rest of the dive. I couldn't believe he would that for me. One night we went for a dive to see flashlight fish. Larry took us to the spot and we turned off our lights. Magically, as if on cue, a swarm of twinkling fish appeared in a coralhead in front of us and then flowed past us into the night. I swear Larry could find anything underwater! My favorite memory of Larry was another night dive when I asked him to find a Spanish Dancer (one of the animals on my wishlist). We went down and he wrapped my arm around his (his trademark arm lock) leading me on a tour of the site. He found 5 Spanish Dancers in about 15 minutes.
He made huge contributions to muck and liveaboard diving and inspired divers everywhere. He was an extraordinary person and a legend among dive professionals. I was privileged to meet him and wish I had taken another trip with him. It is a terrible loss.
The outpouring of love and tributes from friends all over the world is a deserved honor in celebration of a remarkable life. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Rest in peace, Larry (hopefully, at your favorite divesite).
