By George Steger

     On Oct. 11, 2004, just days before Larry Starr’s untimely death, the University of Saint Mary Global Studies Institute was renamed the Lawrence D. Starr Global Studies Institute. We did so because we had come to love this generous and insightful man. Who late in his life, had come to love us too, and had spent most of his last four years of his life working for the benefit of Saint Mary.

     The citation which announced the renaming of the institute recounted forthrightly the virtues of the man of outstanding significance. He was cited specially in recognition of:

His steadfast belief in the dignity of the human being and human life in all its diversity.
His insatiable eagerness to learn.
His commitment to social justice.
His belief in his ability to help others become their best selves.
His abiding love for and confidence in the principles of democracy.
His friendship, commitment and guidance to the University of Saint Mary.

     But this list limits Larry; he was much more than even those fine virtues. And they do not fully describe him.

     Who was the man?
     For one thing, Larry was a very astute and innovative businessman, even a famous one. He is given credit, for example, for being “the farther of vacuum packing” in the meat processing industry, in which he made his fortune. He was the CEO for years of one of Kansas City’s most successful international businesses and his company sold its wares all over the world.

     Luckily for us, his business success allowed him to become a philanthropist as well. He was a generous one, not only with Saint Mary but with other educational institutions. For Larry believed that all worthwhile changes come first through education.

     For another, Larry was Jewish. And yet he chose to support a Catholic university, personally as a member of its Board of Governors and in almost all of its life and activities. But Larry was catholic—with a small “c.” He believed in the universality of truth and justice, and he saw in mission of Saint Mary the same virtues he wanted for himself and for the world he lived in. For him, Judaism is about social justice. So is Saint Mary.

     Judaism is also about seeing that life is ultimately good, no matter what evil threads the earth. Out of all the muck and chaos, God creates life, and it is good even in the midst of poverty and death. What is the famous Jewish toast: “To life!” isn’t it? Saint Mary believes that just as fervently.

     Larry was not always as sure, however, about God as Saint Mary is. He often argued with his Catholic friends about the nature and existence of God. He appreciated the story of the old holy man who lived alone in the desert and come so close to God that everybody wanted him to describe his experience. When he finally did, it inevitably turned out to be incomplete and disappointing. He simply could not capture the essence of God.

     Why did he admire Saint Mary?
     That was Larry’s Position as well. Eventually, he came to understand Saint Mary’s scholars and theologians would have surprising sympathy for that very point of view. In fact, Larry’s conviction that Judaism was primarily about questions fit perfectly with Saint Mary’s own understanding that life is a mystery and we can never know all the answers. Larry’s personal triumph was not so much that he understood but that he always sought to understand.

     But Larry did understand Saint Mary very well and that’s why he became one of its best supporters and patrons. He recognized in this small but unique university its essential spirit of openness, tolerance, compassion and kindness. He saw here and praised its non-judgmental atmosphere, its priority in teaching social justice, its sense of living under God’s umbrella. He was impressed that Saint Mary, students didn’t get Catholicism forced upon them, or any other credo, but that there is strong ethics here and faith stance which is caught rather than imposed, and it resides in the spirit of the Sisters of Charity, the other teachers, even the staff.

     Larry delved into every cranny of the school in his four years of association with us and he found it to be a place of decency and mutual care. That’s what he said endeared us to him. On his 70th birthday, he proclaimed that whatever years he had left would be devoted in great part to Saint Mary.

     Thanks again, Larry, for caring about us that much for becoming so engaged in what we are and do. It was a great affirmation.

1932-2004

We miss you!