Larry Bubb - A Harbor Country Founder

Larry Bubb April 2, 1940 - July 27, 2000

Larry Bubb: Harbor Country's gentle giant

Excerpts from the Harbor Country Connection, September 2000.

On July 27, 200, Larry G. Bubb succumbed to the ravages of fighting cancer. He was 60 years old. During the two days that immediately followed his passing, Harbor Country was mourning.

Larry left a very big empty space, not only in our hearts, but in the patchwork quilt of this amazing place we call Harbor Country. All of us could have gone on in life very easily calling Three Oaks, New Buffalo, Union Pier or any place else our home. But we don't do things easily here. No, we have to call eight communities our home and we spend a lot of time shaping diversity into a homogeneous enclave. Nobody spent more of his time, his patience and his resources on this effort than Larry Bubb... He had confidence in all of us; we in turn had confidence in him. We all have our first impressions of Larry Bubb. For may of us it was Larry, the bank president [Bank of Three Oaks, later renamed Harbor Country Bank]...

Larry always had prodigious energy and more ideas than we could cope with. The pace of work could be relentless.. In time Harbor Country Bank, against Larry's wishes and in spite of his best efforts, was acquired by an Indiana financial group. The Indiana management and Larry did not see eye to eye, and Larry, never one to give an inch on even the smallest matter of principle, took a measure of pleasure in driving them to stammering fits. [it was through this process that Larry and team moved to upstart Alliance Bank] Larry worked incredibly hard to make Alliance bank a success. He had an old-fashioned work ethic. He worked a teller window whenever it was his turn (he always balanced), and never delegated the distasteful or painful. The bank, of course, was a tremendous success How could it not be?

As one of the co-founders of Harbor Country, he saw the need to get this small lake-shore-to country enclave on the map. As part of his involvement in the Harbor Country Council (a late 70's think-tank of the early Harbor Country founders), he hired Karen Conner, a Chicago publicist, and a then new-comer to the area, to spread the established Harbor Country name [coined by Dick Downing, another HC Council member] throughout the reach of the Chicago market, and anyone who would take interest. Larry's interests extended to supporting Nadra Kissman's efforts to form the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce as the area authority to represent this alliance of 8 small southwest Michigan communities.

There was never any loud hype, no over-the-top promises., no b.s, just honesty, integrity and an old fashioned work ethic. Even though his achievements and status as an exalted community leader were legendary, Larry always remained soft spoken, humble and exhibited extreme modesty. The businesses and buildings he helped create, the families and friends whose lives he affected are all living proof of his commitment to Harbor Country. Thanks to his vision, wisdom and dedication, our business community is blessed with a solid foundation for the future.

Quotes:
"Harbor Country as we know it would not exist if it hadn't been for Larry Bubb, whose vision and wisdom helped us make it happen. He was a banker, mentor, community leader and best of all.. a friend who touched and changed our lives forever.
--Nadra Kissman, co-founder.

"Larry never made your idea, issue or problem seem small or unimportant. Whenever you came away from a conversation with Larry, he left you energized with more confidence and optimism than you had before. Larry Bubb was a true gentleman".
-- Lee & Sherri Waddle, Hannah' s Restaurant

"More important than our business relationship, is the friendships that emerged with Larry, Hillary [his wife], and Greg [son]. There were so many great times at bank functions, meetings, mixers, parties, charitable events and golf when we would run into "the Bubbs". His strong sense of community was unparalleled.
-- Margaret Anderson, Topp Press

"We have always though of Larry Bubb as Harbor Country's own George Bailey (from It's A Wonderful Life). He took risks and built businesses because he believed in people and their dreams. We can't imagine what this community would be like without Larry's vision and compassion."
-- Liz Thomas & Chuck Garasic, Sweethaven Resort

Farewell, gentle giant.


©Copyright 2000 - Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce