This page contains a remembrance of the remarkable life of Larry Hildes, as well as some of his unpublished poems and songs. The poems you see on this page were originally collected and presented at a workshop given at Rainy Camp on January 30, 2022.
The list of songs/poems is incomplete, and so if you are in possession of any that are not listed here, please email them to Linda Allen, and we’ll get them presented here. Also, we know of only one or two of Larry’s songs that have been put to music, so we encourage you do so if the spirit moves you. We ask only that you give Larry appropriate credit for writing the song, and - because we’d love to hear what you’ve done - let us know. And do feel free to share this page with anyone who knew Larry or who you think would enjoy it.
Here is one such song that was recorded by Greg Deer, using the lyrics to Minnesota Nice, one of Larry’s poems which you’ll see below.
Thanks
Scott and Linda, January 31, 2022
Larry Hildes, July 10, 1965 - November 20, 2021
A Remembrance of Larry Hildes -
On Saturday morning, November 20th, at 3:30 AM, friend, fellow-worker, musician, social activist, and legal attorney for the downtrodden and oppressed, Larry Hildes passed away quietly, surrounded by the love of his family who were close by. Larry had been ailing with congestive heart failure for nearly four years which steadily progressed in severity and ultimately was the cause of his death. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Karen Weill, who died in March 2020 as the result of complications related to the removal of a brain tumor.
“And I know we can do
Better than this
Where our dreams take wing
Over the abyss
Where we can awaken the new world
With a kiss
And no more shadows fall”
Larry's work in taking on the legal struggles of those among us least able to defend themselves in court was relentless and ongoing. Over the years Larry never wavered in his commitment to seeking justice for those who had been victimized by the system. But despite this tremendous professional commitment to what were often frustrating and losing causes, Larry maintained a hopeful and optimistic outlook toward life. He also had a deep love of music, of travel, and of sports. To the very end of his life he religiously attended online folk music circles during Covid, and was a contributor of many beautiful and powerful songs. He loved baseball, enjoyed football, and was looking forward to being a Kraken fan. Larry was also one of the wickedly best punsters this world has ever produced.
Larry will be deeply missed by those who loved him, and yet those who cared for Larry breathe a deep sigh of relief as well today, for the simple reason that Larry is for the first time in a very long time, not suffering the pains of a disease that came to limit his life to the hotel room that he, and Karen, had come call home.
Larry, you may be gone, but you are still with us.
