larry wiederspan

Larry, Serendipity, and the Building of 228 Main 

The way events might occur by chance, to our happiness or benefit, is called serendipity.

It’s coincidence. 

It’s good luck. 

And maybe sometimes it’s providence. All of these could define the word “serendipity.” And all describe our long association with Larry Wiederspan. 

Mark met Larry in one of his earliest incarnations in business, as a life insurance agent working with country banks and bankers. The owners of a small chain of banks sent him out west to see one of their branch office managers at a location 200 miles away, in the middle of Nebraska, to implement a benefit plan. 

They hit it off. Mark worked with Larry and his wife Marilyn on their plans and planning. They not only came along as Mark’s solo practice grew into an enterprise; Larry played a key part in that transformation. 

Serendipity struck a dozen years ago, when Mark learned that the Wiederspans were thinking about a move to our neighborhood after Marilyn’s retirement. Larry’s integrity, diligence, good faith, attention to detail, and friendliness were things our shop needed. 

At the time, increasing regulatory requirements meant that files needed updating and business processes became more cumbersome—precisely when family health issues took Mark out of the shop for weeks at a time. 

But things came together. Larry and Marilyn moved closer to their grandchildren, Larry started helping Greg and Mark take care of business through trying times, and you got the benefit of getting to know Larry.

It was a big win for everyone.

Larry retired a couple years ago, but it didn’t stick. He tells us now the time has come—for sure. We’ll soon be short the regular company of this conscientious and pleasant fellow who means so much to us. We are still here in part because he was here for us. 

Mark’s gratitude will never repay the debt he feels to Larry.

In the meantime, clients, we’re continuing to work on our business with you—and planning for the future. Call or email us about anything you might need. 

Cheers to you, Larry!

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Larry, Serendipity, and the Building of 228 Main – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

This text can be found at https://www.228Main.com/.

Three Cheers for Larry!

Coincidence, good timing, good fortune… Whatever you call it, something wonderful happened to bring Larry Wiederspan into my life and later into our shop. Clients, three cheers for Larry as he closes a chapter working here at 228 Main.

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Serendipity, or, the Mark and Larry Story
graphic shows a framed collage of headshots of each of the six members of the office staff (Patsy, Larry, Mark, Caitie, Greg, and Billy)

It’s the way events might occur by chance, to our happiness or benefit. 

It’s coincidence. 

It’s good luck. 

And maybe sometimes it’s providence. All of these could define the word “serendipity.” And all describe my long association with Larry Wiederspan. 

I met Larry in one of my earliest incarnations in business, as a life insurance agent working with country banks and bankers. The owners of a small chain of banks asked me to go out west to see one of their branch office managers at a location 200 miles away, in the middle of Nebraska, to implement a benefit plan. 

We hit it off. I ended up making return trips to work with Larry and even his wife Marilyn on their own plans and planning. As my skills and services evolved, they came along with me. 

Over the years, some of Larry’s strengths came to the surface: integrity, diligence, good faith, attention to detail, and friendliness. Then serendipity struck about ten years ago, when I learned that they were thinking about a move to my neighborhood after Marilyn’s retirement. His characteristics and traits were something that our shop needed, and he was about to join the neighborhood. 

At the time, increasing regulatory requirements meant that files needed updating and business processes became more cumbersome—precisely when family health issues took me out of the shop for weeks at a time. I could easily have been that person who had a great business until… illness befell the family. 

Larry retired from his banking career, a higher-stress and longer-hours endeavor than the more relaxed pace of the position we created for him at 228 Main. Larry and Marilyn moved closer to their grandchildren. It was a big win for everyone. 

Clients, you and we obtained the benefits of knowing and working with Larry. We’ve enjoyed Larry’s association for longer than we expected we’d get, as he enjoyed his work too. 

But he tells us the time has come for more retirement-type activities and less work. We’ll soon be short the regular company of this conscientious and pleasant fellow who means so much to us. We are still here in part because he was here for us. 

My gratitude will never repay the debt I owe Larry.

There is some chance a special project or circumstance may bring him back for a spell, but at this time it would be appropriate for you to join me in thanking Larry for his many years of service here, if you are so moved. 

In the meantime, clients, we’ll still be taking care of business—and we’re learning how to do that without Larry’s help. Call or email us about anything you might need. 

Cheers, Larry! 

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Play the audio version of this post below:

Serendipity, or, the Mark and Larry Story – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

This text is available at https://www.228Main.com/.