Larry Michael Deater died February 19, 2015 at his home in Kittery Point, Maine following a brief bout with cancer. The sone of Harvey Deater and Charlotte Thompson, he was 59 years old. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire witha BA and MA in Education. Larry worked in the hospitality industry for many years. He managed several restaurants in Portsmouth, NH, and owned several restaurants in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Privateer restarant in york Beach. Larry was active in local politics.
Larry was also a gifted teacher of life skills to teenagers with special needs, history to middle-schoolers and at Hesser College, and physicians about HSAN1. All of his adult life Larry coped with HSAN1 with dignity and grace. He fiercely maintained his independence, positive outlook, and sense of humor while participating in numerous research trials, and served on the Deater Foundation board to find a cause and cure for HSAN1. His final selfless act was to offer his body for research. His wife, Rory Robb, requested contributions to the Deater Foundation in his memory.
At Larry’s service Dr. Brown said, “Larry had an extraordinary and indelible impact and influence on a small army of physicians and scientists. The combination of Larry’s tireless efforts, his warm and engaging people skills and always infectiously positive good nature has had a hugely positive impact on the science of neuropathy and on the work and careers of a host of people. Larry will always be right there at our sides on the team, and none of us will rest until the job is done.”