Honoring the Life and Legacy of Larry Anderwald

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Larry Anderwald, my longtime businessman. His departure leaves a void that words struggle to fill—a silence where once there was laughter, debate, wisdom, and a relentless drive to build something meaningful.

For over two decades, Larry and I were side by side—not just in boardrooms or conference calls, but in the trenches of hard decisions, ambitious dreams, and the everyday grind of turning vision into reality. We didn’t just build businesses. We built something deeper: a partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and an unwavering belief in each other’s strengths.

A Business Partnership Like No Other

Our 20+ years of collaboration weren’t defined merely by the deals we made or the companies we grew. They were defined by the moments in between—the laughs, the arguments, the long hours, the handshake deals sealed by trust. Larry and I didn’t always see eye to eye, and to be honest, that was part of what made it work. He challenged me. I challenged him. And together, that friction led us to sharper ideas and stronger decisions.

Larry was the kind of partner that comes once in a lifetime. He brought a sharp mind to every conversation, a keen instinct for business, and a confidence that gave you permission to dream bigger. He had the rare ability to think several moves ahead while also staying grounded in the present moment. When he believed in something—or someone—he was all in. And when he disagreed, you knew it. But that honesty made everything stronger.

Ours was a partnership built on trust and transparency, on pushing each other to be better, and on knowing that we were always working toward the same goal—even if we took different routes to get there.

A Man of Principle and Presence

Through those years, Larry became more than a business partner. He became family. He was a man of integrity, drive, and unwavering loyalty. He led by example—never asking for more than he was willing to give himself. You couldn’t be around him without wanting to rise to the occasion. He didn’t need to demand excellence. He inspired it.

Larry brought his full self into every room. He had a presence—strong but not overbearing, sharp but never unkind. He made people feel seen, valued, and heard. Whether you were a CEO or an intern, Larry gave you his attention and treated you with respect. And that made people want to do their best for him.

He taught me more than I can ever articulate—about leadership, about humility, about showing up even when it’s hard. He believed that the strength of any business lies not just in the numbers, but in the people behind them. And he lived that belief every single day.

A Legacy Beyond the Boardroom

Larry’s life wasn’t defined only by the companies he helped grow—it was defined by the relationships he nurtured along the way. He was deeply committed to his family, and his love for them showed in every story, every proud smile, and every mention of his wife Sandy, his sons Clay, Drew, and Spencer, and his beloved grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy.

Even in his final days, Larry never stopped thinking about others. Our last conversation—one I will treasure for the rest of my life—wasn’t about regrets or illness. It was about how we could give back. Specifically, how we could support first responders in the Kerrville area through our mutual connections. From his hospital bed, he was still organizing, still giving, still serving. That effort led to hundreds of first responders being fed—a final act of generosity from a man who gave so much, quietly and humbly, without asking for thanks.

More Than a Goodbye

Losing Larry is more than losing a colleague or a business partner. It’s losing a part of the foundation on which so much was built. His absence will be deeply felt—in our work, in our lives, and in the countless small moments where his voice, his ideas, and his presence made all the difference.

But his legacy lives on—in the people he mentored, the businesses he helped shape, and the lives he touched with his generosity, integrity, and vision.