Philip Lawrence “Larry” Hester passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 3^rd at Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital.  Larry was born on March 20, 1947 in Charlotte, NC to Rosemary Pound Hester (Roundtree) and Frank Merrimon (Pat) Hester Jr, who both pre-deceased him. Larry grew up in Lynchburg, VA and graduated from E. C. Glass High School in 1965, where he was a proud member of the cheerleading squad.   Larry graduated from Vanderbilt University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, then entered the first class of Owen Graduate School of Management.  He was asked to move across campus after one year to become Assistant to the Provost, and later Director of Fiscal Planning at Vanderbilt.

Larry spent 30 years in management, finance, strategic planning and information technology, mostly in higher education consultation and institutions, including lengthy tenure at Vanderbilt, University of Massachusetts, and Housing and Urban Development.  From 1980 until retirement, as a partner of Kaludis Consulting Group he provided financial consultant services to over 35 major universities – from Inter American U. of Puerto Rico and University of Georgia to University of Alaska, from University of New Hampshire to Southwestern and every sector of the United States in between.

In addition to his parents, Larry was pre-deceased by a son, Philip Lawrence Hester Jr, a brother, Frank Wesley Hester, a beloved aunt, Jean Marie Hester Bolz.  He is survived by much loved stepdaughter, Angie Olsen, and her family, cousins Charlotte Thielen and Cebby McCarter and their families, his best friend of 60 years Fred Brown and Fred’s family, and a dear friend on and off the golf course, Maggi Davis.   Fred and Maggi were with him as he set out on his final and grandest journey

As a teenager in Lynchburg, Larry became exposed to the life and works of Edgar Cayce through his biography ‘There Is A River.’ His journey led him to Virginia Beach, the home of the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE), also known as the Edgar Cayce Foundation, where he spent most of his life. He attended numerous conferences and participated in global exploration with ARE Tour Groups, visiting ancient civilizations worldwide, igniting his sense of adventure and curiosity. Larry also developed a close personal friendship with Charles Thomas Cayce, son of Edgar Cayce. He was a staunch supporter of Atlantic University, an ARE-affiliated and DEAC-accredited higher education institution focused on integrating body, mind, and spirit and achieving higher human potential through personal transformation, rigorous scholarship, and experiential learning.   Larry’s dedication to the ARE and Atlantic University led to him serving on its Board of Trustees for 12 years, three of which he led as Chairman.

There will be a short, informal celebration and remembrance of Larry’s life on Friday, October 4th, from 1 to 2 PM in the meditation room at the ARE Headquarters at 67th St and Atlantic Ave in Virginia Beach. Friends who come are encouraged to share favorite “Larry memories” from tour group travel experiences, childhood and college activities, Board of Trustee memories, or random thoughts on fun times with Larry. In place of flowers, Larry asked that you consider donations to Atlantic University or your favorite nature conservation charity.