By any measure, the life of Laurence A. “Larry” Raymer is an extraordinary story of service to his fellow man, his community, his country and his God. He was an historian, a volunteer, a leader, a community booster, a family man, a patriot, a journalist, an educator and an inspiration to all who knew him.

Larry was born April 16, 1909, in Beloit, the son of Ray L. and Ruth Gensrich Raymer. He attended Parker school, graduated from Beloit High School and Beloit College. He married Clara Simeral May 6, 1944, after service as a naval officer in the Pacific Theater in World War II. For most of his life, Larry was involved with Boy Scouts, the first as a Scout and then as a leader. He was one of Wisconsin’s 10 most-admired citizens in 1984, Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year four times, winner of the Freedom Foundation Medal for patriotic writing and the recipient of literally scores of civil honors. Larry’s community service included presidency of the Beloit Rotary Club, a First Congregational Church deacon, 32^nd Degree Mason, Beloit Hospital Trustee and membership on many other boards and committees.

A longtime reporter, editor and columnist at the Beloit Daily News, Larry later became executive director of the Association of Commerce. For years he organized and directed an areawide marbles tournament and other youth events. He was in demand as a master of ceremonies, presiding over literally hundreds of community events. As an historian Larry shared and recorded his vast knowledge and personal research of the history of the people and places of Beloit, providing to his community an invaluable source of information as to the founding, growth and development of Beloit. Larry Raymer, “Mr. Beloit” to the people of the town he served long and well, died in his sleep on February 5, 1992.