The Doctor Who Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro

“The doctor who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.”

That was what I first knew about Dr. Larry Schreiber before I met him, along with his reputation as the best doctor in the region.

When my husband Terry and I first met him, he immediately insisted that we simply call him “Larry.” That small request set the tone for the relationship that followed. From that moment on, he was never just our doctor. He became a trusted guide, a compassionate listener, and eventually someone we came to consider a friend.

Larry cared for Terry for more than a decade. During that time, every visit to his office felt different from a typical medical appointment. Instead of tension or worry, there was warmth. There was kindness. And very often, there was laughter.

Larry had an impeccable sense of humor. No matter what challenges Terry was facing, Larry always found a way to lift his spirits. We would arrive carrying the heavy weight of illness, and somehow we would leave feeling lighter. That gift, the ability to restore hope in the middle of difficulty, is something very few people possess.

But Larry’s compassion extended beyond the patient sitting in the chair. As Terry’s full-time caregiver, I felt that he cared deeply about me as well. He understood the quiet burdens that caregivers carry, and he met those moments with kindness, patience, and respect.

Over the years, we learned that Larry had been writing small personal stories about his life. We were so excited when he told us about the book he was working on, and we looked forward to the day those stories would be shared with others.

That book, A Life Well Worn: A Collection of Personal Stories, reflects the same thoughtful and humane spirit that we experienced every time we sat with him. His stories reveal a man who believed deeply in people, in connection, and in the quiet meaning found in everyday moments.

When Larry told us he had Parkinson’s disease, we were shocked and deeply saddened. Still, we believed we would have many more years with him. Losing him sooner than we expected was one of the greatest losses our community has felt.

Larry was truly one of the finest human beings I have ever had the honor to know.

Today, I miss him deeply. Sometimes, I like to imagine Terry and Larry meeting again somewhere in a better world, a place where there is no pain, where burdens are lifted, and where laughter is easy and light.

That thought brings me comfort.

Larry’s life touched many people, and the kindness he gave so freely continues to live on in the memories of those who knew him.