Larry loved us

To the Editor:

Laurance A. Luder

Last Saturday, I attended the memorial service for the late Larry Luder, who faithfully served the Borough of Swarthmore as a member of the Swarthmore Fire Company for almost 50 years, and as President of the Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association for 38 years.

Over the last five decades, Larry spent many thousands of hours as a volunteer to be sure that life in Swarthmore was safer for all of us. The word “volunteer” means that Larry never received any pay for his service. The word “volunteer” also means that Larry did it willingly, knowing that he was not going to be paid, but he loved Swarthmore and he loved all of us with virtually no limitations. He was happy to make life better for all of us for literally all of his adult life.

That tradition continues unabated thanks to that same sense of volunteerism and dedication evidenced by the fire fighters, the EMT’s, with that same sense of dedication, commitment and love for all of us.

As Assistant Chief Rick Lee said so poignantly at the memorial service, Larry was an extraordinary man. I am forever grateful to Larry for his service and to his wife, Mary, and their daughter, Laura, who shared Larry with us for all those years.

G. Guy Smith
Swarthmore