KCBS-TV cameraman Larry Greene was killed Sept. 6, while on assignment in the Persian Gulf. Greene was aboard a Navy SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, which crashed after hitting the mast of a Syrian freighter. Greene, who lived with his family in Agoura Hills, had been with the local news station for 24 years. He is survived by his wife, Diana, and two sons, Connor and Clayton. Larry Greene was 50.
By Kim Devore/Staff Writer
There is still a message from Larry Greene on my answering machine. He must have called right before he left for the Gulf. He put in a good word for me at “Celebrity Justice” where Harvey Levin was starting up a new television show. Although I went on to produce a program for Disney, Larry wanted to see how the interview went, where I was and how I was doing. That was Larry.
When I came back to the States after a five-year hiatus in Europe, work was impossible to find. I hadn’t had a job in a long time-a very long time. It was Larry who hooked me up with the Travel Channel, and I have been successfully employed ever since. It’s all thanks to Larry. That’s just the kind of guy he was. So loved in an unlovable industry that everyone took his calls, everyone valued his opinion.
His memorial service on Saturday had the reverence, respect and outpouring of emotion that one might see with the passing of a beloved head of state. In a nasty and cutthroat business, Larry was admired by all for his wonderful wit and complete kindness-something we can only hope will not be forgotten.
“If you want to honor Larry’s memory,” colleague Drew Griffin told the crowd, “move over for a photographer who comes late to a news conference. If you want to honor Larry’s memory, lend your spare battery to a cameraman who’s about to lose the story. That’s how you can honor Larry’s memory.”
The sad occasion drew a who’s who of CBS alumni; many of us hadn’t seen one another for 20 years or more. We all remembered the joy of working with Larry, how we’d chill at Simply Blues or Roy’s along with Joe Benti, Roy Firestone, Connie Chung or the legendary Bill Stout.
No matter how badly the broadcast might have gone, Larry was always there with a laugh, always there to make us smile. I can’t think of a single person in the news business who will be missed more than Larry Greene.
Bye-bye buddy, make sure you and Bill have a nice round on me.