I met Mr. Phipps in between classes at C.U. Denver at hotdog stand by Larimer Square. He was wearing a Brown plaid jacket. We talked for a little while and then went about our ways. Two weeks later my roommate and I had dates from D.U. to go to a ranch outside of Elizabeth to ride Polo ponies, and see Limousine Bulls. After riding we walked toward the house and there he was inviting us into a party where Rene Heredia was playing. Quite the day.

William Deveraux Ward

Lawrence was a young man of about 25 (ballpark measure) and I was a mere 10 when our acquaintance began, which has remained steady from that time on. A really grand thing happened during our early acquaintance; He asked my mother Joan and my father Jack Pechman and our family to come and have dinner with him out at Highlands Ranch. He used that big kitchen to cook it up in, with that island stove, and there was just tons of food, sack fulls of groceries. It looked like he was preparing a feast for about 20 people. After showing us all the food, he said: ”And now Josie and Judy are going to help prepare the food with me and then we’ll eat it”. He started putting out 3 huge frying pans and made deep fried crispy tacos – He made a huge Mexican meal. We had plenty to eat and drink and a wonderful visit. The thing that surprised me was that this visit was so nice, I didn’t know on my way there that I was going to enjoy it, since I didn’t know him. This was my first early impression of him, his hospitality and his interest in other people. Who would think that I as a 10 year old would be included in his plans to having a good time? The feast he prepared was like a seed, something that he had in him all his life, this hospitality and curiosity about people. I knew from this very beginning that Lawrence would be my special friend, my story here includes that feeling.

In the years to come, about 5-10 years later Lawrence invited my sister Judy and I to go and fill bullets full of shot at his special firing range. It certainly sounded exciting to me! We would sit around one afternoon and fill up all the cartridges. We would then, the next day go to the firing range and practice hitting clay doves. Then there was something very special that happened; We were looking directly west in the afternoon sun and Lawrence told us a story that you will always see a green flash just before the sun goes under the horizon, if you look really closely. We would stand there looking at the sun, waiting for it to turn from red or yellow to green. I didn’t see it, but it was one of those things, that he was always involving people in experimenting. Green flash or not, we were enthralled with this man! Around this time we also used to go out hunting on horseback with him. One day he rode his horse up beside me and said: ”Josie, I’m going to call myself Millfrog. What do you want to be called?”

He involved us in a lot of new things, and even in adulthood, going out for a picnic at his ranch was a real feast. Under that big tree of theirs, we’ve had such wonderful picnics in recent times. What interested me so much is that in spite of being so busy and having so much to do, he always found time for his relatives, friends and neighbors (like the Tuesday night parties). He has been such a fantastic host and encourager with a great sense of sharing. These stories give a glimpse of what an amazing and generous personality Lawrence had throughout his life, part of what made him such a fascinating person to know. - Lawrence, we are deeply missing you!”

Thank you everyone who joined us at the Quarter Circle Bell to celebrate my father's life. Seeing so many familiar faces from the past, especially those of you who travelled a great distance, filled me with nostalgia. The festive gathering of so many eclectic souls was a fitting tribute, and thanks also to Rene Heredia and Katy Moffatt for sharing their talents.

A wonderful account of his life. A man of many eclectic talents. Thank you for sharing.

Lawrence made the "most interesting man in the world" look boring by comparison. He always had a twinkle in his eye and something kind or funny to say. Thanks to Lawrence, Tuesday nights were always filled with wine, laughter, foreign languages, and mystical stories about his days catching sharks and putting Gatsby's dinner parties to shame. Every moment with him was an adventure - he taught me about fox hunting and Colorado history during an Indiana Jones-style ride through the countryside, explained Flamenco guitar and dance from a table filled with friends at a local haunt, and tirelessly answered my questions about polo from the field side as the ponies cantered by. I will always be grateful to Lawrence for his warm, welcoming spirit and all that I learned from him about horses, happiness, friendship, and life.

Lawrence will be missed by so many. He was such a great friend. I have many great memories of Tuesday nights, polo and being a guest on the hunt. RIP Lawrence