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Larry
Carter
President
International Underwater Spearfishing Association
1937 - 2010
It
is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing
of our cherished friend and IUSA President, Larry
Carter. Larry passed away on October 24th
in Temecula, California, with his loving wife and
family members by his side.
Larry was in public service for over 30 years. After
retiring as a southern California police chief, he had
time to more actively pursue his life-long passion of
spearfishing and supporting those engaged in the
sport. First, he provided inspirational leadership in
the Los Angeles Fathomiers Spearfishing Club. His
strong organizational skills improved the club
business, spearfishing competitions, and award
programs. He knew what was needed and knew how to
accomplish it. Whether he was flipping burgers at a
Fathomer Scramble Meet or presiding over a board
meeting, you could see he was planning the next
effort. Yet, he still found time to ask your opinion
or shake a hand of a young diver for a job well done.
His larger than life personality made club activities
lively and fun, fueling an inrush of aspiring young
spearfishermen to the club. Fathomier club membership
soared while Larry was at the helm, eclipsing all
other spearfishing clubs in California.
But
Larry’s unwavering spirit and unflagging energy longed
for another venue, leading him to the International
Underwater Spearfishing Association. Assuming the
post of IUSA president pushed him into an arena where
he could help support spearfishing on a global scale.
In short order he gauged the needs of the IUSA and
found out what spearos around the world expected from
a records keeping organization. Every record
application was personally scrutinized before being
presented to the board. He made certain that
applications were processed quickly and with
integrity, with the foremost goal always being to
provide the best possible support to the spearfishing
community. He made record applicants feel the
importance he placed on their efforts, communicating
directly with them for any clarifications or to
explain issues, and giving them a hardy
‘Congratulations!’ when a record catch was accepted.
Spearos from Hawaii to Australia, Norway to Greece,
the Aleutians to the Azores, Puerto Rico to Brazil,
came to appreciate Larry’s personal attention.
Everyone found his
friendliness, openness, and heartiness hard to
resist. He made you feel like he’d known you for
years and couldn’t wait to go diving with you. When
he called you ‘buddy’ you felt his sincerity and joy
to see you again because he was your true friend. We
will all remember him for how he touched so many
lives. We will miss him.
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