Larry M. Tobin was born Feb. 4, 1946, in Kansas City, Mo. With a strong desire to write, upon high school graduation in 1964, Larry left for Milwaukee, Wis., to attend Marquette University where he studied journalism for three years before majoring in history and political science. He left Wisconsin briefly after college to work on fund raising campaigns in Washington state before returning to Marquette to work in the alumni relations office.

Since early college, Larry had been heavily involved in politics and election campaigns. In 1970 his political interest led him to Madison, Wis., where, for the next three years he worked in various legislative positions, including speechwriter for the lieutenant governor. He continued to work on election campaigns at local, state and national levels. Even after leaving his job in the state capitol in 1973 to do public relations work for the Wis. Electric Cooperative Assn., his political interest would see him elected to two terms on the Dane County Board of Supervisors.

While doing PR work for the electric cooperatives in November, l973, Larry met Kathy Branen at a Wis. Newspaper Assn. convention. Kathy grew up in a newspapering family in Burlington, Wis., and the two were married 15 months later. For Larry the interest in journalism, and newspapers in particular, was re-ignited and in 1977 he would join the Wis. Newspaper Assn. as legislative coordinator and assistant manager.

In 1980 Larry and Kathy purchased a small weekly newspaper in southern Wisconsin. He sold advertising and ran the business operation while his wife was editor. They increased the sales volume and circulation to a level that allowed them to sell the business at a substantial profit 15 months later and purchase a larger paper in northern Wisconsin where Larry could further enjoy his love of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. They remained in the weekly newspaper industry there for more than 26 years as active and innovative partners. Theirs was among the first weekly newspapers in the state to convert to desktop publishing, as well as introducing their readers to full color photos in every edition.

Though he ran the business operation and was not a regular contributor to the news end of the product, Larry did write a weekly column, along with occasional editorials and features. Never afraid of controversy, he often stated that when his newspaper took a tough stand on an issue, the editorial was usually his. Nor was he afraid to share his personal life in print, with his columns including topics ranging from his father’s death and long-time alcoholism, to his pride in and love for his son upon high school graduation. His writing did garner him state and national awards for his contributions.

Larry’s newspaper interest carried him beyond his own publication. He spent 11 years on the Wis. Newspaper Assn. board of directors, including a term as president. He also served a decade on the WNA Foundation board and twice was elected president. He is credited with initiating Wisconsin’s Newspaper Hall of Fame.

He was also active in community affairs, including serving two terms as president of his local chamber of commerce. He was a founder and first president of a local civic foundation, a charter member and served seven years on the North Central Private Industry Council, and served a number of years on the local development corporation. Civic interest found him involved in a variety of activities from coaching Pony League baseball to organizing community cleanup efforts.

An avid outdoorsman, Larry was a regular contributor to a variety of local and national hunting, fishing, and snowmobile organizations. Besides hunting and fishing in northern Wisconsin, those interests have taken him to Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, Kansas, Mississippi, Alaska, Canada, and especially Montana where he and Kathy eventually purchased a log cabin in the Crazy Mountains.

Through all the years, Larry never lost his desire to write fiction. He finally managed to get his first novel, “Pressing Matters,” in print in 2008 and has plans to continue writing and developing a wide variety of story lines that he has considered over time.

Larry and Kathy now divide their time between Wisconsin’s northwoods and their cabin in Montana. They have two adult children, a son, Kerry, and daughter, Kelly, along with son-in-law, Brent.