Long-time SIUC employee remembered

Larry W. Hawse and John Richardson usually met once a month for coffee. Monday's call to confirm their meeting came an hour too late.

After a long battle with emphysema, Hawse, 72, of Carbondale, died in his home Monday at 2:40 p.m.

Hawse and Richardson, who were best friends for 37 years, worked in the Office of Research Development and Projects together, though their offices were on different ends of the campus. When Hawse retired in 1995, after 39 years the University, Richardson kept in contact with Hawse as much as possible.

"Larry the Legend," as his friends called him for being the Office of Development Research and Administration's oldest employee, never said no without offering solutions to problems that arose, said friend Carolyn Donow, who is now retired from the department.

"One of the really great things about Larry was that he loved people," said Donow. "I've lost a very good friend."

Hawse enjoyed fishing on Crab Orchard Lake and never passed up lunch or coffee with his friends.

Hawse's life was dedicated to his wife and children, SIUC and his friends. He was an active Carbondale citizen, a member of Lakeland Baptist Church and the Carbondale Planning Commission.

"He was deeply involved, completely dedicated to his family, his job, co-workers, just an all around great guy," said daughter Alberta Fulford.

Hawse first started working at SIUC in 1966 as a research assistant in the Department of Research and Projects, now known as the Office of Research Development and Administration. He retired due to his illness in 1995 as the department's assistant director.

"He was a knowledgeable, generous person," said Marilyn Davis, the publications coordinator for the Office of Research Development and Administration who worked with Hawse for years. "For many years he was kind of the heart and soul of this office."

His co-workers remember him as being the greatest friend, the hardest worker and the most generous of all people.

"I never saw him mad," said Richardson, Hawse's best friend of 37 years. "He was very, very down to earth. We both enjoyed going to get coffee, just being together."

Hawse's wife, Mara Lou McGregor, died a year earlier on Dec. 19, 2003, leaving their children, son Carl DaVault and daughter-in-law Celeste DaVault of Seattle, and daughter Alberta Fulford of Cambria. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Meredith and Nick Tavernaris of Ohio.

"We're going to miss our lunch partner, and a good friend," said Donow.

Burial will take place today at 11:00 a.m. at Mound City National Cemetery on Mound City Road. Memorial donations can be made to the Science Center, 1237 E. Main Street, Carbondale.