Larry Irwin Epstein

The life of Larry Irwin Epstein

1930 – 2017

Graveside services were attended by family and close friends at Chapel of the Chimes, Shaaray Sholom, in Hayward on February 14, 2017. The Navy honored him by a beautiful playing of taps and presentation of his flag to Mary.   His name will be added to the Sonoma Veteran’s Star of Honor.

His 26 years with his loving partner, Mary Kaufmann, leaves an unmeasurable loss, but also memories of loving and sharing life together.  Larry was held in high esteem by those whose lives he touched in his 86 years on this planet.

Upon moving to Sonoma from Fremont, Larry immediately joined Rotary, a great love of his. He and Mary cherished their Phil Harris awards and particularly loved helping at the 4th of July Hot Dog Booth.   

As a perpetual volunteer, he served on the Grand Jury, helped Hispanic ladies learn English to prepare for nursing exams at the Library, and volunteered with local theater groups.  He was an avid member of Parkpoint (every other day!) and the ultimate grocery shopper.

Larry’s Korean War service (1952-54) was in the U.S. Navy where he trained as a Photographic Interpreter and was stationed in Washington D.C.  This training solidified his photographic career.  Upon discharge he went to Europe with a stereoscopic glass-slide camera and a backpack and traveled to eighteen countries for six months.  Travel and photography became his passion.  He never stopped traveling and his worldwide trips, to over 50 countries, would result in evocative and beautiful photographs of scenery, flowers, and people. 

In 1959 he began teaching English, photography, and drama at Tennyson High in Hayward.  He directed two plays a year for 13 years and kept photographic scrapbooks of casts, programs, and sets for all of them!  He also acted, directed, and did play reviews for local newspapers.  He retired in 1986, and began his full-time volunteerism in Fremont, as well as a Peace Corp stint in 1993. 

He is survived by his loving family –two sons, one daughter, 6 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter; one brother and nephew; and the mother of his children, living in WA.  He will also be missed by Mary’s two daughters and their families.

Donations may be made in his memory to Rotary, or to New Horizons in Autism, 906 Rt. 33 East, Freehold. NJ 07733 (NHautism.org) which provides housing and services for autistic adults, such as Larry’s grandson.  

 Service Information