Throughout his nonlinear career he was a good and decent man who worked to get hard things done. He once described his life’s challenge as creating bouquets of differing people to serve a common good.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester (NY), which was his hometown; a master’s from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School; and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Michigan.

As a young man he worked in the ministry in Rochester during turbulent times, earning a reputation as a leader and listener. Although ordained Protestant, he was hired by the Catholic Church to build ecumenical ties between faiths. He joined friends in civil rights protests locally and in Washington DC. He officiated at weddings throughout his life.

Moving with a young family to Ann Arbor in 1971, his work at the University of Michigan lasted almost 40 years.

First, he helped develop one of the nation’s first urban planning simulations.

At the Institute of Gerontology, he managed a multi-million dollar grant from the Kellogg International Program on Health and Aging that brought together experts to share insights. The program was run jointly at the University of Copenhagen and, due to it, Larry traveled the world, making lifelong friends.

At the School of Social Work he helped launch programs in community building and problem-solving in Detroit, as well as shaping cultural alliances. He continued all that at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan in Detroit, as senior consultant, where he finished his career in 2012.

He worked hard to make a difference, staying deliberately out of the limelight, and wasn’t concerned with winning credit. Larry and his wife, Susan Ager, a former Detroit Free Press columnist, married in 1985 overlooking Keuka Lake in upstate NY, where they owned two tiny cabins. There he renewed his boyhood love of sailing, adopting and improving various pre-owned boats.

After moving to Northport in 2001, Larry served on the boards of the Leelanau Township Community Foundation, ShareCare and the Northport Youth Sailing School, which he helped establish. In the early years of Leelanau UnCaged, Larry worked all day as Sanitation Czar. He was a regular for many years at Barb’s Bakery, where he was known for his Died April 7, 2025

quiet voice, wise words and gentle humor. He helped Bruce Viger serve Sunday brunch at the old Eat Spot. And, after years of patience, he finally won a treasured slip in Northport’s marina, which became his second home.

Besides wind and water, he loved ice cream, photography, exploring, slow dancing, and hosting gatherings of family, friends and strangers. In the kitchen his specialties were chicken pot pie, beef stew, quiche and omelets.

Carrying on his values and his memory are his wife, his children Linda Coppard (Bill Field) of Kentwood (MI) and Steve Coppard of Omaha (NE), his brother Bill Coppard of Rochester (NY), and his beloved granddaughter Katie Leigh Coppard, a student of psychology at Creighton University in Omaha.

Also remembering him is his dearest, oldest friend, John Damgaard. John and Larry met at age 16 when Larry’s parents took in John as an exchange student from Denmark. That year John studied piano at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, and remains one of Denmark’s finest classical pianists.

Larry would ask that this article also thank those who most helped him and Susan during his journey with Lewy Body Dementia, which is closely linked to Parkinson’s Disease. Among them are the staff of Leelanau Physical Therapy, especially Torrey Davenport and Heidi Mueller; visiting PT Aubrey Jabour; University of Michigan neurologist Dr. Sami Barmada; members of the local Parkinson’s support group; members of the Lewy Body Dementia support group in Boyne City; therapist Karen Faith Gordon; yoga and meditation teacher Kristi Holmstrom; the care team at Hospice of Michigan; the care team at MediLodge of Leelanau, especially Flora, Autumn, Darcy and Kendra; and the residents at MediLodge, especially Rob, Erik, Ellery, Nikki and Rita. Friends and family were invaluable with encouragement.

Larry participated in two research studies at the University of Michigan regarding Lewy Body Dementia. To help future research, he chose to donate his brain to the Michigan Brain Bank at the University of Michigan.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held in the future.

To honor him yourself, quietly make a difference. Help others. Make connections in your community and plant the seeds of kindness and service wherever you can.

Please share condolences and memories with Larry’s family at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.