- Date Of Birth: September 29, 1917
- Date Of Death: August 24, 2010
- State: Arizona
William Lawrence “Larry” Gold: A Man of Vision, A Man of Faith, takes his last hike.
William Lawrence “Larry: Gold, 92, passed away on August 24, 2010. He was born September 29, 1917 in Williams, Arizona to Ruth Wells Gold and F.M. Gold who traveled from Kansas to Arizona around the turn of the century.
In 1919 the Golds moved to Flagstaff, at that time it’s population was about 3,000. His father was the County Attorney and young Larry was so familiar with his dad’s work routine that he would often wear his dad’s hat and imitate him. Three year old Larry once told his mother that he couldn’t possibly take his nap as he had just received a call form George (the office manager) and needed to go to the office right away.
Larry spent most of his childhood in Oak Creek climbing, hiking and swimming. When his parents bought Junipine, this was the beginning of his love of the outdoors. Hiking all over the Oak Creek area was his way to relax and leave his worries and problems behind. At the age of nine, Larry hiked the Grand Canyon with his cousin, Evart Wells, the first of many hikes in the Canyon, with his last at the age of 88.
Larry attended the Arizona State Teachers College Training School as an elementary student. He then attended Flagstaff High School, playing “left tackle” on the football team, and graduation in 1935. After graduation he attended both the Arizona Teacher College and the University of Arizona, majoring in History. When WWII was declared, Larry enlisted in the Air Force and served six years as a Civil Personnel Officer, after which he enrolled at the University of Chicago, receiving his MBA in Hospital Administration. Thus began his 34 year hospital career.
His profession took him to Gary, Indiana; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Las Cruces, and Las Vegas, New Mexico; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Springfield, Missouri, ending in his home town of Flagstaff.
In 1965 Larry applied for the Hospital Administration position at Flagstaff Community Hospital, against his father’s advice. At that time, the hospital was deeply in debt and he would be required to live on the hospital grounds. He was selected from over 100 applicants and brought the hospital finances “out of the red” his first year, and kept it free of debt his entire administration Under his guidance, the hospital grew from a small community “Hospital in the Pines” to a Regional Medical Center achieving national accreditation. His board of trustees said these achievements occurred due to his vast experience, professional training and his personal commitment to the Flagstaff community. After serving as the hospital administrator for 17 ½ years, he retired in 1982. Now he would have more time to enjoy reading his 100 plus books and hiking more trails.
On October 27, 1982, he was married to Joni Nauman, who had been his Executive Secretary and Administrative Assistant for 15 ½ years. They traveled extensively and continued to serve their community through their 30 years of volunteer work mainly with the Flagstaff Food Center.
Larry credits his mother and father for shaping him into the man he became. His mother was very active in the church and his father loved the outdoors and was a great scholar who loved poetry. He shared his father’s passion and was able to recite a great number of poems. One of his favorite quotes is from Stephen Grellet (1773-1855), who was a Quaker Missionary: “I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Anyone that has had the privilege of spending time with Larry would have to admit that he has lived his life well
Larry Gold is survived by his wife of 28 years; his son Brian (Melanie); grandchildren Alicia and William of East Sussex, England; son Eric of Flagstaff, step children Skip Nauman, Hawaii; Bruce Nauman, Phoenix; and Margo Centner, Casa Grande; his nephews Gary (Cathy) Anderson, Larry (Sandy) Anderson, niece Sharon (Paul)Crittenden; many great nephews, nieces, numerous friends and former employees.
