Larry Conn ’81

Our classmate Larry Conn failed to return as scheduled from a solo backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in October 2012. After many months, searchers found evidence that Larry, an experienced hiker who had traversed the mountainous terrain many times on his own, had been caught in a snowstorm, pitched his tent, but did not survive the extreme conditions.

Larry was born in Washington, D.C. His family moved to South Orange, N.J., where he graduated from Columbia High School. At Princeton, Larry majored in psychology and was a member of the chess team and Quadrangle Club. After graduating from Stanford Law School, he made his home in California, where he practiced law with expertise in health-care regulations and fraud.

Larry’s passion for backcountry hiking, which he acquired from his father, Bob, reflected his strong sense of self-reliance. He was an independent thinker — an avowed nonconformist. His classmates will remember him for that, as well as for his deep intellect, his ready laugh, his deadpan commentary on the scene around him, and his keen sense of the absurd.

Larry leaves behind his partner, Claus Svendsen; their son, Alexander; his mother, Elaine Conn; and brother, David Conn.