John was from Rockville, Maryland, but was a West Virginia Mountaineer through and through. Countless WVU students stayed and played over the years in his house off campus, the “Red Relaxer,” including many who became legendary in Southwestern as well. John sold books 7 summers, breaking numerous company sales records in the process. He was proud of making President’s Club in a single day with a then-record 504 units.

He believed greatly in the potential of young people, and became an outstanding District Sales Manager. His organization was called The Slight Edge, because he knew that if young people could gain the Southwestern advantage while college students, its impact would continue to grow over the course of their lives and they would become world-changers. He was right; the Slight Edgers who were blessed to work with John are now in every field under the sun, making a positive difference in our world as they grow through life.

The many colleagues and dealers who spent time with John knew him always to be unselfish and generous, with a great sense of humor, an inexhaustible collection of stories and jokes, and a constant conveyer of his belief in people and in what they can achieve with their lives. Which of us didn’t stand a little taller when he would clap us on the back, and say, “Hey, brother!” or “Hey, sister!”? His natural competitiveness showed in sales and on the basketball court, and his long history of coaching youth sports helped put many kids on a great path of fitness and sportsmanship. His intensive work with Christian ministry – particularly in developing men of faith – had an eternal impact on many. One of you said today what so many of us feel: “I know I would be a different person if it were not for him.”

John loved his family massively. His wife, Nan (who as Nan Tschudi, was a great bookgirl as well from Angelo State University, and an amazing wife and mother), along with their beautiful children Maddie, John-Paul, Brendan, and Bridgette as well as John’s mother and six siblings are grateful for your expressions of support — and your prayers — during this incredibly difficult time. Maddie wrote today, “He was a great man who impacted so many, and loved the Lord with all of his heart. He is having a great time dancing and singing in heaven.”

Visitation is Friday, September 30 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Road, Brentwood, Tennessee, at 4pm. The funeral mass will be said Saturday, October 1, at 1:00pm with a reception to follow.

Many of you have asked about donations for family support.  They may be made to the John Liederbach Memorial Fund at Regions Bank, Attn. Angie Johnson, 1729 Mallory Lane, Brentwood TN 37027.

We also invite you to share your stories, memories, and thoughts of John to be included in a scrapbook for the Liederbach family by leaving a comment below or by sending them to Deb McCroskey, 1501 Pear Tree Circle, Brentwood TN 37027-7379.

We have lost — and we mourn — a dear friend.

We are all so busy in our day-to-day tasks, yet it is important to take a moment to pause and re-acknowledge the truly great thing that is happening all across America and Canada this summer. It is one of the true success stories in the history of business: 142 years in a row of helping young people develop themselves, and help families, through the Southwestern program. Last month, Henry accepted our award for being the oldest company in the Direct Selling Association on behalf of all the student dealers who make all this possible through their hard work every day.

These young people are showing themselves – and the world around them – that despite economic turmoil, political problems, climate change, and many negative factors facing them, they can stand proudly on their own two feet and ask nothing of anyone except a chance to see what they can do. They are creators of opportunity, and carriers of optimism. This Monday, as many Americans will be celebrating Independence Day, the Southwestern Team and the student dealers will be working jointly so those students can HAVE independence, and all that will mean to themselves and their families.

The Sales Managers and Directors are themselves leading the way for Southwestern, inspiring their groups to great production as we move into the most important months of the summer. Every single District Sales Manager and Director knocked on doors for multiple summers, and they know from first-hand experience gained over thousands of hours the truth of what Theodore Roosevelt meant when he said,

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

Thanks to every Sales Manager, including those who are selling books right now, today.

Thanks also to all the other parts of the company as well for the true team effort that takes place at this time of year. Through Henry’s leadership, every part of our company works together to make this summer spectacle happen year after year. There are literally thousands of moving parts that have to mesh and make sense in order for our year to happen, and you make it so. The student dealers and sales managers are grateful to all of you. Please accept our thanks, and please share this with others in your areas as well: every single person’s efforts count, and make a difference.

It is a pleasure to announce that this summer we are up dramatically in student managers and they are out there making it happen.  We are on the grow, and we intend to continue!

Thanks again to all of you.

Larry was a phenomenal bookman.  One week on the bookfield, he made 180 demonstrations and sold 126 customers.  A great recruiter, and with the mentorship of Dr. Jim Samuel and others, he grew a great sales organization.  He eventually became Director of Sales and head of the Home Learning Division.  His gift with the spoken word was extraordinary, and thousands of students enjoyed and were inspired by the stories he shared in Sales School.  He shaped countless lives.

Our hearts go out to his family.

There is a Nashville memorial service set for Friday, Dec. 18 at Belmont Church, with receiving of friends from 10-12:30 and a service at 1:00.  Larry’s family ”would love to see a big turnout from all the SW people who knew and loved him”.  The Belmont Church is located at 68 Music Square East Nashville TN.  (615-256-2123)

We also invite you to share your memories of Larry below.