Lawrence Edward Wells

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"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."

-Pericles

Lawrence Edward Wells was born on May 30, 1952 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Robert A. and Kathryn N. Wells.  He was one of seven children, the middle of three sons with four sisters.  Larry graduated from Baldwin High School where he thrived by significant involvement in the Student United Nations and singing with the Baldwinaires, the school’s select chorus.  He went on to graduate from the American University in Washington, DC, with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies.  His university years were greatly enriched by his induction to Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, and he deeply valued the bonds of brotherhood which he carried with him throughout his life. It was while at AU he met the love of his life, his wife of 25 years, Julie Heizer.  The pair dated briefly in the ‘70s and came back together many years later, celebrating their 25^th anniversary at the end of November.

Larry was a gifted television producer, writer and storyteller.  His journalism career began at ABC, where he started as a copy boy and worked his way up to senior field producer, among other titles.  He worked for Good Morning America, ABC Interactive, and ABC News. His work was seen around the world and earned him four Emmy nominations.  Larry later helped launch NBC Mobile, the predecessor of NBC Digital, producing the first video news content for cellphones.  He anchored NBC News Radio before turning his attention to documenting the American Red Cross’ disaster response and Service to the Armed Forces programs.  He covered Hurricanes Gustav, Ike, Isaac, Irene and Sandy, and produced marketing videos, training and informational content for the organization.  His work for the Red Cross earned him and his team five Telly Awards for their productions.  He earned multiple other awards across the body of his work, some of which is now part of the historic collection in the Museum of Broadcasting in New York and the Newseum in Washington, DC.

He loved being on the road in pursuit of a great human-interest or “needs to be told” story, not unlike the earliest professional influence of his life, Charles Kurault.  He had high hopes of building a successful television series based on those unique and interesting stories he found “Off the Beaten Path,” but it was equally much the process of finding the story, ferreting out the details and being on the road with his wingman, that Larry so greatly enjoyed.

His most recent incarnation was as adjunct professor at Temple University where he designed, developed and taught a graduate level course in Disaster Planning, Communication and Mitigation.  Larry thoroughly enjoyed connecting with students and sharing his wisdom in this arena he believed to be critical for one and all – not just graduate students.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Julie Heizer, six siblings (Bob, Su Russ, Jo Ann Herold [John], Mary Kay Krokowski [Al], Patricia McDonald [Shane] and Christopher), his mother-in-law (Juanita Foust), his brother-in-law and sister-in-law (John and Karen Heizer), 18 nieces and nephews (and spouses), multiple great nieces and great nephews, a great-great niece, cousins, Carol Reynolds and CJ Kentler, and their families, and many dear friends who will all miss him greatly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the:

Hospice of the Chesapeake

National Kidney Foundation

American Red Cross