Author Topic: Larry Cunningham," The Elvis Engineer " - R.I.P. (Read 7182 times)

Bill Jacklin · « **on:** August 02, 2012, 05:52:53 PM »

Larry passed away quietly this morning. He had a number of health issues that finally became overwhelming. Gail tells me that he is being cremated and that there will be no service or memorial.

He was a laid back guy who liked nearly everyone, including those with whom he had a serious disagreement (which was not always obvious to many on the web). He was a close friend and I already miss him. Fair weather and tight lines, Larry. God Bless.

Bill Jacklin
(A Ringmaster/Fox .35 kinda' guy)

Gene O'Keefe · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:06:32 PM »

Yes, he will be missed. His 'Mo Best construction articles are well worth reading and I liked his profile fuselage
construction. May he rest in peace.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:08:09 PM »

Sorry to hear this Bill,
I only new Larry thru the forums. Always had some good information to share. I remember when I first started building profiles I down loaded the information on the Mo Best.

He was a straight shooter.

R.I.P.

Leester · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:16:43 PM »

I'm sorry to hear of Larry's passing, he was always willing to help me when I built my "Mo Best " at least now he's not in pain. My prayers go out to his wife and family.

peabody · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:19:27 PM »

Too bad....he was a nice guy......

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:29:19 PM »

Goodby Larry. You'll be missed.

Bill Little · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:32:32 PM »

Thanks for posting this, Bill. But I seriously hated hearing the news. Larry was a good friend and he will be sorely missed by me. He did it the Cowboy Way.

God Bless his family and friends. God Speed Larry!

Bill

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:44:42 PM »

For all his medical problems, he almost always seemed remarkably upbeat.

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2012, 07:12:17 PM »

I never had the pleasure of meeting Larry but I enjoyed his posts and his sense of humor. It is a sober reminder of our mortality...

Mike

John Leidle · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2012, 07:13:52 PM »

Sorry to hear this.
John

proparc · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2012, 07:15:22 PM »

This is really bad news for me. Larry and I, privately shared CAD info quite a bit. He knew that I was a big fan, and an admirer of his work. I admired how upbeat he always seemed to be in spite of his health issues.

Suffice to say, this is quite shock for me, and I will sorely miss him. We seem to be losing quite a bit of our fraternity lately. I suppose that is just a natural outcome of our demographic.

Eric Viglione · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2012, 07:29:17 PM »

The Elvis Engineer will be missed.

EricV

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:03:56 PM »

There just are no words... Larry and I were polar opposites on political matters, but absolute brothers in the love of this hobby and of its technical aspects. We had great political debates and great technical discussions. I will miss both.

From the first moment we met in a restaurant at a long ago Nats, Larry has been one of my favorite people. He was kind, considerate (even in the midst of debates), and down right brilliant. His passing is a great loss to our community. Again, there are no words...

Peace my brother - Bob Hunt

De Hill · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:28:38 PM »

Larry was a great guy. We used to visit at the annual VSC's.

I am saddened by his passing.

De Hill

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2012, 09:14:17 PM »

Larry an I had over the past couple weeks been discussing his work with the Expo-Bellcranks & such. I enjoy his recent article on the subject in CLW.

I did not know him very well, but thoroughly enjoyed our communiques. Rest in peace...

Dennis Moritz · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2012, 09:20:27 PM »

Too soon. Too soon. Our world view often coincided. Covered each other's backs at times when these forums were not policed. We sent emails back and forth. Shared a few moments of reminiscence. Wish I had met him in person. Best moment was his description of riding motorcycles in New Mexico. The description was vivid as tho it just happened. For a moment I was back there immersed in the intensities of color, the shock of the New Mexico deserts. Thank you Larry. You are missed.

John Miller · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2012, 09:49:39 PM »

I'm saddened, by the news. I hope he saves a spot for me on the flightline. The lineup for that celetial championship seems to be growing WAY TOO FAST.

May we all join together, and once more spendtime flying with each other in heaven.

Brad Smith · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2012, 10:04:54 PM »

I to enjoyed his posts and his sense of humor RIP Larry see you on the otherside .

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2012, 10:40:42 PM »

What Bubba Hunt said. Larry was a fine modeler, a worthy opponent and always respectful of those with whom he waged the good fight. I'll miss him, too. This is sad news. Tight lines, Larry.

Ted

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:08:59 AM »

I am truly saddened by this news.
Larry was a brilliant engineer and a very worthy opponent in political discussions. He will be sadly missed by me and I'm sure many others. He was cut short in life and had suffered long with illness.
God speed my friend...the world is a lesser place without you. There may be no memorial but I will lift a glass and say a prayer for you. In truth your memorial will be in many hearts and memories.

Randy Cuberly

Bill Heher · « **Reply #20 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:21:32 AM »

I'm sad to hear this. Larry and I had a few jabs at each other, but never anything other than verbal joust. I always admired his ability and technical expertise. You knew when he was talking about something he understood and had given more thought to thah you had.

It seems fitting that after flying with my friends in Portland yesterday I stopped and took a few pics down by the river, and he would like the Artistic Engineering evident in this creation. The light and airy opening to the sky lighting up the far end is pretty compelling - heres hoping his smile was huge as he zoomed up into the delirious blue .......

John Sunderland · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:54:46 AM »

I had the pleasure of being invited to Las Cruces to fly with Larry and Robert Compton back when he was in better health. Quaffed a few beers at his home while discussing all things stunt related. A really fine time! We also dined at a really nice seafood restaurant in Tucson during my first VSC attendance. I really enjoyed my time spent with Larry and discussions we have had here and other forums. He will most certainly be missed by all who knew him. A genuinely fun, likable, and talented guy all around. My condolences to his wife and family.

Allen Brickhaus · « **Reply #22 on:** August 03, 2012, 06:16:05 AM »

I met Larry at one VSC and had some nice conversations with him. His skills will be missed.

Allen Brickhaus

pipemakermike · « **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2012, 07:23:04 AM »

Larry was a friend and I am proud to have known him. When I was first starting to fly stunt and asked a question on the Stuka Stunt Forum about the Mo-Best, Larry sprung to help, sent me the latest drawing and even one of his engines when I was struggling with the ST51. I always hoped that he would get well enough to fly again and to finish off the design of the Mo-Beast. We had frequent conversations about CAD and I was able to repay a small fraction of his kindness with CAD software and help using it.
I will miss him

Mike Keville · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2012, 07:44:07 AM »

He will be missed. That's for sure.

Doug Moon · « **Reply #25 on:** August 03, 2012, 07:48:38 AM »

RIP Larry.
You will be missed!!

Gary_Marchand · « **Reply #26 on:** August 03, 2012, 10:33:37 AM »

I am saddened by Larry's departure and will miss him. He and Mark Bowen were the first two guys I met at the field in Las Cruces and helped me learn the pattern in 1989. We have flown together, judged contests toghether, laughed together, got a little drunk together, argued politics and religion and remained friends these many years. Rest in peace, Larry. I will miss you.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #27 on:** August 03, 2012, 10:40:54 AM »

What a shock. Larry may you find the perfect stunt heaven. I had the privilage of meeting Larry a few years ago at VSC. We had a short talk. Was hoping to see him again at another VSC. He is and will always be a gentleman in my eyes. Also a terrific modeller that I only wish I could have known him when he was in much better shape.

Andrew Borgogna · « **Reply #28 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:42:05 PM »

I never met Larry, but to be in this hobby and not known of Larry Cunningham would have been impossible. He was truly a legend in his own time. Like others have said "Rest in Peace" Mr. Cunningham.
Andy Borgogna

ptg · « **Reply #29 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:46:19 PM »

I don’t post much on forums but today seems like a good day.
Thanks Larry, for the thoughtful emails, the insight, the wit, the knowledge and the humor. Fortunately, I got to say those things before he left although not often enough.

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #30 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:31:39 PM »

Although I never had the chance to meet Mr. Larry Cunningham, I've been an avid reader of his articles and contributions to the hobby since the 90's.
I am really shocked, to say the least...this is a sad day.
My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

Claudio Chacón.

Bob Whitely · « **Reply #31 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:37:19 PM »

I talked to Larry last Saturday and he seemed in good spirits and was looking
forward to getting out in about a week. I really liked his sense of humor even
though we butted heads a few times over the years. I am saddened to lose another
friend but am sure I will see him again in the next chapter. Aw man...RJ

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #32 on:** August 03, 2012, 02:26:30 PM »

I am lucky that over the years I got spent some time with Larry. we also talked often on the phone. Like Bob, Larry and I were politically opposite, but our discussion were always enjoyable, and our technical talks were always very thoughtful. He was simply a wonderful person.

As with all of us, our bond was and is a love of aircraft of all sizes. God Speed Larry.

L0U CRANE · « **Reply #33 on:** August 03, 2012, 03:00:08 PM »

Larry's legacy will endure.

In a small, bitter way, it is almost a relief to know that his too many years of suffering have finally ended.

Even before he became too ill to fly, he was a "character." I think he worked at being contentious, sometimes. Always lively and intensely into what he was into, and enjoyed "discussions" with friends, however boisterous.

Met him about the time the Las Cruces (NM) Squadron - Larry, Mark Bowen and Gary Marchand - started campaigning. One time, I think at a Tucson SW Regionals January contest, he showed up in a garish purple jumpsuit. Moby Grape! Teased him about that for a long time...

Mo'best. Progressive bellcrank studies. So much else that has reached so many of us.

But it was Larry we all cherished, each in our own way. it's always sad to lose a friend, but at least we had several years as friends. That will remain...

I was glad to see him taking a bigger part in on-line discussions over the recent few years; he'd been keeping a much lower profile several years before that. Last time I saw him was at a VSC several years back.

Thanks, Larry! We'll all miss you.

John Miller · « **Reply #34 on:** August 03, 2012, 03:08:07 PM »

This just came to mind, and illustrates perfectly Larry's sense of humor.

He often declared, "I'm in this for the money, and the women".

RIP,I'm sure we'll share the sky again.

John

RC Storick · « **Reply #35 on:** August 03, 2012, 04:16:13 PM »

Larry is a perfect example why owning this forum is so hard. While I never meet the man we did converse on a few things. I am shocked and saddened by the passing of every one of my fellow control line stunt friends. My condolences to all family and friends and wish Larry a long flight in control line heaven.

SteveMoon · « **Reply #36 on:** August 03, 2012, 08:31:42 PM »

I'm really sorry to hear this news. Larry was a good guy and always willing
to offer up some advice or some of his technical knowledge. Back when
he was in better health he came to several Dallas contests, and it was
always good to see his innovations on his planes. Larry will be missed.

Steve

John Hammonds · « **Reply #37 on:** August 04, 2012, 03:24:02 PM »

Very sorry to hear about this.

I only "Knew" him via the forums but his willingness to help others and his obvious love of the hobby will mean he will leave a big hole to fill.

My condolences to his family.

L0U CRANE · « **Reply #38 on:** August 04, 2012, 09:38:02 PM »

John, to your #34:

As I recall it was: "I'm only in this for the fame, the money and the broads..."

The satire remains, whichever way it was... That was Larry, and always will be for us, however near or far we knew him.

Peter Nevai · « **Reply #39 on:** August 21, 2012, 08:01:33 PM »

Wow I am at a loss for words, I had known he had medical issues but never did imagine that they were that serious. Just the thought of no more emails or commentary on this board saddens me as if I had lost a family member. But I think that Larry may have moved on but in a way still lives in the words written on the pages of this and other CL forums online. As long as those posts remain, so long as people can read his words, then in a small way he will never leave us.

It is a little comforting that there are organizations out there that archive pages of sites like this. Places like the "Way back Machine" that will preserve and archive some of Larry's commentary, jokes and contributions possibly for the foreseeable future. The computer age has potentially granted Larry a form of immortality and just the thought that I can do a search and read Larry's contributions and laugh or even continue or reply to a thread he contributed to or started make me feel a just a little bit better. It is nice to know that people who never met the man or corresponded with him can become familiar with him through the words he left behind for all who are interested to see.

Good Bye Larry friend, confidant, an mentor...........Good Bye

Randy Powell · « **Reply #40 on:** August 21, 2012, 08:23:06 PM »

I am very saddened to hear this. Larry and I met at VSC some years ago and became quite close. We collaborated on an elliptical design spread sheet and rib plotter. We traded ideas online and on the phone and spoke often. He was always sending me jokes that were in poor taste but always very funny. I hadn't heard from him in some weeks and wondered what was going on. This is really sad news for me. Like Bob, we tended to argue about politics, but Larry was always thoughtful and articulate. And always a gentleman.

He will be sorely missed.

Author Topic: Larry Cunningham," The Elvis Engineer " - R.I.P. (Read 7182 times)

Mike Griffin

John Leidle

Eric Viglione