Farewell, Larry B. Bach
Susan with Larry in that "Big-Ass Cadillac" car of his.
Earlier this month Susan and I visited our friend Larry in Las Vegas. He'd been to see us in New
York last Spring, but since had contracted Cancer. Repeatedly he'd ask
us when we were coming out to Vegas to visit. In the course of
our many phone calls we could hear in his voice that the illness was
getting worse. That classic bark of his, the bellow, the roar we'd come
to expect --and adore-- from Larry . . . had begun to fade.
The strength it took was dissipating. We realized the severity when a
chemo treatment landed him in the hospital a few days hence, with
Pneumonia. It was time to drop everything and go see Larry. The
cancer had spread to more vital organs; we knew time was limited.
He was discharged from the hospital the day we arrived. At home he was
attended to by visiting nurses every 12 hours. When we came to the
house we saw him, no more hair or beard, about 80 or more lbs lighter, breathing with the help of a portable respirator.
Larry brightened up during our visit. We played a few word games, drove
out (in Larry's "Big-Ass Cadillac," of course) to Hoover Dam. The majority of the time was spent visiting.
Being with Larry and Marion. That was the purpose of the visit.
It was wonderful to spend time with Larry and Marion. It was also heartbreaking.
We flew back to NY on Super Bowl Sunday. Later that same week Larry was back
in the hospital. By Friday Marion told us the decision was made to
cease the chemo treatments, and move him to palliative care, a hospice.
No more medication, and no more pain for Larry.
On Monday the 14th, Valentines Day, Larry passed away. Marion, the
woman who was a rock of Gibralter and the light of Larry's life, was
with him as he took his last breath.
Glad as we are that we made this visit, our hearts are heavy with the
loss of such a dear friend. Our lives were enriched by knowing
him, and will be as he lives in our hearts and minds forever.
Farewell, Larry B. Bach. Larry was good a friend as one could ever have.