Larry and his family have been a part of the Eastside for more than 60 years. The son of a World War II veteran Larry spent his early childhood living at High Point in West Seattle and attended a one room school in the project. His father worked days for the postal service, and on weekends took Larry with him while he built the family’s first home across the lake in Bellevue.
Larry graduated from Bellevue High School and after earning his BA at Western Washington State College with a degree in education Larry taught elementary school for five years and was President of the Auburn Teachers Association.
In 1975 Larry earned a Masters Degree in Family Counseling from the University of Oregon, then served two years as the Administrative Director for the King County Youth Services jobs program followed by two years as the Executive Director of a group home program for delinquent boys in Puyallup.
In 1985, led by a passion for the art of wine and the desire to own his own business, Larry opened “The Grape Choice” in downtown Kirkland.
He has served in a variety of community organizations in the area, including the Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland Performance Center, and Eastside United Way. In 1993, Larry was elected to the Kirkland City Council. During an 11-year tenure, he was named “Kirkland’s Favorite Elected Official” as well as receiving other local awards, including a National Distinguished Leader award in 1998 for his community leadership.
