Lawrence Black Obituary

Larry was an incredible, compassionate and caring person and we miss him so very much

I spoke with Diana in May or June and shortly thereafter spoke with Larry by phone telling him of my upcoming trip to Portland in September and that I was looking forward to seeing him and Suzie while there. It was obvious he was having trouble breathing and Larry, always being considerate, mentioned that I should call first (knowing that his time was limited). I'm so very sorry I missed seeing him and offer my deepest condolences to the family. I'm sure my grandmother, Elsie Davis Voss has welcomed him into heaven as she was always so ecstatic when he and Suzie visited with her in New York City.

Larry was a beloved friend, mentor and rock to many, certainly to me and my evolving family. He and Bill Healy taught me to ski. Explaining to a novice that ice was `just hard powder´, that the first and the last run of the day were mandatory and that, even if one had 4x4, you never needed it. He saw we never missed a Christmas Day feed.. we love him dearly.

I'm truly sorry for your loss. Larry was such a nice man and I enjoyed working at Black and Company for many years.

Larry was a very good friend for many years. I will miss his captivating stories about the good times he had during his life. Condolences to Susie and his family.
Craig and Linda Laughlin

I was sadden to receive a message that Larry Black had passed away. I met Larry at a PSU Foundation Board retreat 25 years ago. Since that time we became friends and worked together on funding raising projects for Boys and Girls Aid and Portland State University. I always enjoyed when we got together for coffee or lunch. He was an asset to the Metro area community and will be missed.
Ray Guenther
Friend

Over 40 years ago we met Larry & Susie. Through the years we shared our love of good food and wine. From Lake Oswego to Paris and beyond Larry always order the wine and asked for recipes to try out himself. He love to ski & ride his horses. My fondest memories of Larry were with horses and around a campfire with friends, Herbie always telling stories of their youth. Larry will be missed but the memories will linger.

Bruce & Judy Thesenga
Albuquerque, New Mexico

I was saddened to learn of Larry's passing. We had many memorable fun filled fishing trips on the McKenzie. He was generous and thoughtful, making sure that all on the float were well fed and having a good time. May his memory be a blessing.

Larry was such a wonderful friend and neighbor. He would drive his tractor up the hill to our place and plow my garden in he spring. His house was one we always stopped at on Halloween, but the kids complained we always stayed too long talking politics so they could not get to other targets for candy. He was very smart and one of the most entrepreneurial people I ever knew. Black and Company was a very special place with so many really great people.

Larry was a great guy by every measure! He will be greatly missed.

Love Black and Company, Portland Oregon!
Love The Black´s!!!!
Always your friend and family.
Big loves!!!!
Mary (Moore) Blout

I first met Larry when I was Fire Marshall with the City of Lake Oswego. I immediately liked this man and knew he was unique and special. We shared a love of fly fishing and had numerous floats together with Buzz on the McKenzie River. There is no one who´s company I have enjoyed more. I will forever be grateful for his friendship and kindness. My condolences to Susie and the rest of the family.

Larry was a second father to me. I lived next door to the Blacks in the late '50's and early '60's. I was their paperboy, lawn mower, and babysitter. When I graduated from Beaverton High School, Larry and Susie gave me a membership to the MAC club. Seeing that I had good grades and no money to speak of, Larry paid for my applications to several east coast colleges and I was accepted at Yale. While I was back east Larry called me to train into NYC on one of his business trips. We ate at Luchows. On another trip he invited me to come up to Boston to stay with him at the Parker House. He took me to dinner that evening and even fixed me up with a dinner date from Wellesley. When I was at law school in Berkeley, Larry called me to have dinner at Ghiradelli Square.

Larry found summer jobs for me during college, including working at Portland Canning Co. in Sherwood and at Brooklyn Yard for Southern Pacific as a switchman.

I send my heartfelt love to Larry and to Susie and the girls. Larry will always be a big part of me.

---Doug Beckman

Very sorry to hear about an iconic Portlander and one-time star member of the financial scene. My former husband, John Hastings, and I enjoyed Larry and Susie immensely in the 60's and 70's. What a wonderfully long marriage. Tender thoughts to the Black family.
Ellin (Hastings) Johnson

I am so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. I offer my condolences. Not really knowing Larry, except through his daughters Patty and Sally, I saw that he nurtured and created, along with Susie, a lovely home, and so many opportunities for his family through his vision and hard work... It is tough to lose a father.... may peace of heart come to you all, may his good spirit still resonate in yours... most sincerely, Kristi

Larry was a good and generous person. It was an honor to have him as a friend. Our condolences to the family.

Our sympathy to the family. You were so lucky to have had Larry for those many years. Anne and I became attached to Larry when we moved next door to each other at The Springs in Lake Oswego. Larry taught me to play Gin Rummy, so from there on it was almost a daily practice to try to beat him at his game. This activity gave us the chance to spend some great afternoons with Larry. He was generous to invite us to dinner, take us to restaurants and plays, and so much more. In return, I became his very local baker. Larry loved still warm baked goods. He even shared the Poppy Seed Lemon Pound cake with his daughters. We miss Larry deeply.

We had the good fortune to live next door to Larry and Suzie for over two years at The Springs. We became close friends and shared many enjoyable dinners and outings together. His life story was fascinating and he was an incredible story teller. He was so very proud of his daughters and grandchildren and loved to talk about their wonderful family memories. He was incredibly charitable and generous to those in need. We will miss his zest for life, his sense of humor and all that he stood for. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

I was so sorry to hear about Larry. He was a great friend to Dick. Some of my best memories are of him when he would come to our house to catch the moles in his blue oxford button down shirt and his khaki pants looking really sharp! One day it turned out it was his birthday and Suzie said that it was the happiest birthday he had because he caught two moles! That seems a little hard to believe but maybe so. I´m sorry that I haven´t seen him in several years. My love to Suzie and you girls.