Lawrence Arthur Sherr died September 20, 2015 at his home. He was born March 23, 1941 in Queens, New York, the son of Elliott and Evelyn Wise Sherr.
He received his AA from The College of San Mateo and his BBA, MBA and PHD from The University of Michigan.
Larry was an award winning teacher and mentor to many.
In the Lawrence community, he was active in the Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation, 3 terms as president, and Theatre Lawrence, on the Board and as a Thespian.
He leaves behind his wife Suzanne, son Jeff (Kim), daughter Rebecca (Nils), grandson Noah and granddaughters Abby and Helvi, sister Nancy Edlin (Don), step-brother Al Gruber (Linda), step sister-in-law Betty Gruber and nieces and nephews.
Graveside service will be 2 pm. Thursday, September 24, at B’nai Israel Cemetery, Eudora, KS. A reception will follow the service at Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation, 9th and Highland Dr., Lawrence.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation, Theatre Lawrence, or the KU School of Business in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
Larry was a real “Mensch”! When I was a new faculty member he was willing to share his teaching tips which made him the master teacher. He said a class should have a clear introduction, middle and end. He also said that having good assignments made his best teaching when students were working on problem sets late at night, when he was sleeping. I still follow his sage advice!
Larry was my statistics professor at KU and he changed my life. I was a non-traditional student taking classes that were challenging and pressing the boundaries of what I believed to be my limited intellect. I was terrified to be in a statistics class because I didn’t even know what the class was about but I knew I needed the class to advance in my academic career. I sat up front, listened, processed and visited Larry after class and during his office hours. I found I LOVED statistics as Larry coached me through the class as the topic became more difficult. I sit in awe as I didn’t know Larry was a Michigan graduate. After graduating and starting a career at KU, I was recruited to the University of Michigan and have been in Ann Arbor for 10 years. I honor the memory of Larry and the thousands of lives he changed through his dramatic and talented teaching. Thank you Mr. Sherr, may you rest in peace. Go Blue!
Dr. Sherr was one of the finest professors I had the pleasure of learning from at KU. He was not only an excellent teacher, but a true mentor for his students.
So sorry to hear the sad news…..
I’m so sorry to hear this. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Larry gave a plenary address on quality at the national institutional research conference, at Deb Teeter’s invitation. It was full of compelling stories, funny, beautifully delivered – and it revealed hard truths with real options for higher education. It – he – started an important, national change initiative. My subsequent professional and personal friendship with Larry and Suzanne have truly changed my life for the better. Thoughtful, generous, humble, common-sensical, caring, honest, and more. Larry’s passing leaves a hole in my world, too.
Larry not only was a fabulous teacher, he also was a wonderful coach for those who would teach. Even long after I had left teaching, he agreed to serve as a resource for some work-related analysis, and was so helpful.
Larry was a great teacher and a valued colleague. I taught his version of the stat class. i could not deliver that class as well as he did, but I enjoyed working with Larry.
Larry was a model for what a faculty member should be. I will miss him.