I have many great memories of Mr. Manhart as my hurdles coach and Pre-Calculus teacher, and one of my mentors as I spent three memorable years at Cranbrook. He combined a tough demeanor with a deep empathy; we always knew that he could count on him. Thank you, wherever you are, Mr. Manhart - you made a difference!

Besides being a fabulous teacher, Mr. Manhart was a very kind man. I was one of two girls in his afternoon Algebra II class. Quickly I was one of one. I was clearly not the star in the room and felt very intimidated. Mr. Manhart went out of his way to make sure I was included and part of the class. I knew it was going to be a great year when he asked for my permission one day to tell an off color joke. After that I was just one of the boys.

Mr. Manhart taught me to love mathematics by showing the class how intriguing even calculus can be. That math is worth studying it by itself, independent of practical use. Dr. Stefan Goes, Luebeck, Germany.

As Larry's daughter I knew the boys were terrified of him. One of the boys I was able to date, after Dad's careful screening, once presented him with a "trophy". It consisted of a thin wire mounted vertically on a block of polished wood. The wire was split down the middle. It was to signify that Dad was always splitting hairs with the boys before awarding a top grade. Dad always relished the days boys would debate with him in class because then he knew they had grasped the concept he had presented and were beginning to test it's validity and application. He would come home and brag to the family about those rare moments - never revealing the names of the debators of course.

Mr. Manhart knew that Jim Lewis and I were behind a series of pranks that caused trouble at morning chapel services: candles that wouldn't go out when snuffed, hymns mysteriously switched or recomposed, and so forth. Although he did not approve, he did not turn us in or get us into the huge trouble that we deserved. Instead he simply let us know that he knew what we were up to, and gave us room to put a stop to the shenannigans gracefully. That showed real wisdom, for which I've always admired him.

Mr. Manhart (even today I cannot concieve of calling him anything else) brings back found membories of Geometry, Basketball, and Bridge. When I first saw this crew cut 'old' man and found out he was the freshman basketball coach, I thought that my athletic career would be over before it began and certainly no fun. NOthing could have been further from the truth. He tought well, and was fun to play for. I still remember the "Wisconsin Pattern Offense" and think it is an excellent way to introduce team offense to young players. Later I found that his teaching skills in the classroom were just as excellent. However the surprising gentleness of this man ended on the bridge table. I vividly remember a trouncing that my friend Eric and I took at the hands of he and is wife. He was a good teacher and I miss him to this day!!!

Larry Manhart made geometry thrilling. He was tough as nails, and prior to becoming his student I was terrified of him. But of all the math teachers I've had in my life, he's the one who stands out as having really taught me something important. To Larry I owe my ability to use logic and my broader appreciation of the world of mathematics.