Larry Veleke

Larry you were such an amazing man, always helping, always smiling. May your tree continue to grow and shine happiness on all of us.

RIP Larry. Hope you meet up with Jerry soon. You were his best friend in Madison.

My Deepest sympathy to Debra , Michelle, and the entire Veleke family for their loss. Larry was a close friend and a colleague. I enjoyed our monthly get together for lunches , our chats about badgers basketball, and the good times, the laughter we had playing sheepshead at work. Larry and I had fun during our drives to collect all of Hardee’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” California Raisin figures, and to collect all the Commemorative State Quarters from the University Credit Union. At work I saw Larry’s good work ethics, and as a supervisor he made sure we did the same. We travelled to various safety conferences and many safety drills and I saw firsthand how he presented himself and the University in a professional manner. Larry was well liked by his colleagues and the University Community. Larry left our lives, he will never leave our hearts.

I worked closely with Lary for 20 years at the UW Safety Department, until 2000. He was a kind and gentle soul, always thoughtful and helpful. On several occasions, we enjoyed dinner together at a Mexican restaurant. We'd arrive an hour earlier than the others just to enjoy each other's company outside of work. So nice to read of his non-work positive contributions to this world. I am not surprised.

Larry was the main force on our Bethel Resettlement Committee. He personally visited each of our 40 families every week, helping them adjust to life in America. He assisted in all the paper work necessary for insurance, bank accounts, job applications, citizen applications...the list goes on and on. I enjoyed working with Larry and learned a great deal from him. All of our Bhutanese families have had successful transitions because of the care and concern Larry showed them. He is missed by so many. Ann I am so very sorry, know my prayers are with you and Larry's loved ones. Mary Lou Tyne