Flags to Fly at Half Staff For S. Lawrence "Larry" Whipple

S. Lawrence "Larry" Whipple, a longtime Lexington resident who was passionate about town history, died Tuesday, and flags will fly at half staff on Thursday in his honor, said members of the Board of Selectmen. He was 88.

At yesterday morning's Board of Selectmen meeting, members approved a resolution submitted by resident S. L. Doran to recognize Whipple for his service to the town through his work as an archivist and historian. 

Calling hours for Whipple will be held Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Road. Donations may be made to the S. Lawrence Whipple Scholarship Fund, C/O Lexington Historical society, P.O. Box 514, Lexington, 02420. 

A copy of Doran's resolution, which selectmen voted to approve while noting minor changes may be made, is below:

Resolution 

WHEREAS, S. Lawrence Whipple, a resident of this Town for more than 75 years, has shown an undying affection for all aspects of this town; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Whipple has, since the eighth grade, been an enthusiastic student of Lexington's history; and

WHEREAS, S. Lawrence Whipple held the position of Historian-Archivist of the Lexington Historical Society for over 15 years, during which time he vastly improved and advanced the preservation of old photographs and documents such as relate to out Town's history, and instilled a sense of professionalism into the historic preservation of Lexington; and

WHEREAS, S. Lawrence Whipple wrote about 50 articles on the town's history over the course of 30 years, most of which were printed in the Lexington Minuteman in order to advance the public's knowledge of Old Lexington, and has given numerous slide-talks and lectures to the community organizations of Lexington in order to achieve the same; and

WHEREAS, S. Lawrence Whipple has always given freely of his time and made every effort to answer a request for research or information about the town's past, at a moment's notice and with enthusiasm for holding this unofficial role in the Town, never seeking to exploit this role for personal profit, and

WHEREAS, we consider S. Lawrence Whipple to have long ago graduated the title of "unofficial town historian," and

WHEREAS, S. Lawrence Whipple has undoubtedly earned an official title in recognition of his service to this Town, as a loyal steward and keeper of its past history, and a reporter and chronicler of the story of more recent years; and

WHEREAS, S. Lawrence Whipple's historical work is of the utmost integrity, as he requires reliable sources for his facts, and is well-versed in the duties of a historian,

RESOLVED: That S. Lawrence Whipple, formerly of 15 Belfry Terrace, in light of his lifetime achievement in the study, documentation, and preservation of Lexington's history, is herby given the title of an Official Town Historian Emeritus of the Town of Lexington.