1971-11-12-sc-p9-larry-harmon-remembered

November 12, 1971 Spokane Daily Chronicle Page 9:

Top Student at U-High

- Teachers Recall Schooling of “Brilliant” Young Man

By NEIL L. CLEMONS

He was, to those who knew him in high school, a respected and brilliant young man running smoothly down a track of excellence, happiness and success.

Larry J. Harmon, killed in the rampage he triggered yesterday, is remembered by the head of the University High School math-science department as "one of those nice people you meet, a boy that you'd never expect violence from."

The boys’ counselor recalls that other students frequently sought him out: “They recognized his brilliance, They respected him so much they held him almost in reverence.”

One of the Finest

James H. Stickney, U-High math-science chairman, said: “Larry was one of the finest young men I ever taught. He was very, very analytical with his mind. He was searching and always had the answer, But he was very tolerant of a person, he didn’t make his intelligence a problem to others.”

Did he have many friends?

“He was both one of the crowd and a loner,” Stickney said, “He was very well liked by his circle of friends in the honors program, He was accept- ed as a leader. At the same time, he wasn't unkempt, or have a smoking problem or running with a crowd that might get into trouble."

Straight As

At Glover Junior High School in Spokane, young Harmon gained mostly A’s. Every high school class he took at U-Hi netted him an A, He graduated valedictorian of the class of 1968 with honors classes in mathematics and chemistry. Also, as a senior, he completed several advanced courses at Gonzaga University.

Although he had the satisfaction of being among the best in academic affairs, he wasn't too proud to accept a place on the "B" squad of the wrestling.

According to Richard A. Nacarato, boys' counselor and head of the U-Hi guidance department, Harmon turned out for wrestling even though he had a slight handicap as the result of a bout with polio as a child.

Thinking of yesterday’s incident and their recollection of Harmon just three and a half years ago, his teachers see little relationship. Bewildered by the incongruity, they conclude by expressing the hope that other boys and girls will learn from the tragedy.