Henry Lathin Memorial Library Fund created, donations now being accepted
Henry Lathin, caring and devoted husband and wonderful father, left this world much to soon on December 20, 2002. Henry was born April 7, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the Pratt Institute and received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Fairleigh-Dickinson University. He started his professional career at a small engineering firm in Yonkers, moved on to Chattilon Scales, and retired from IBM in Austin, Texas.
IBM transferred Henry to the Austin IBM facility in 1977, where he made Round Rock his home. He later made the Public Library his home away from home. He served on the Library Board, was a charter member and President of the Round Rock Library Foundation, represented the city as a City Council appointed Lay Representative to Central Texas Library System, and mended worn and tired books as a volunteer.
Dale Ricklefs, Library Director, will always think of Henry’s devotion to the library through a statement once made by Mayor Charlie Culpepper during the time the library was being expanded. He said something to the effect of, “You need to get Henry an umbrella to keep off the sun. Whenever I’m downtown, it seems he’s always out there (at the library site) watching the construction”. Dale observed that Henry probably watched more of what was going on with the expansion than she did.
When the new library was finished, Henry’s Foundation started a brick program, raising over $40,000 for the “nice” things in the library. This resulted in the framed artwork, the mobile hanging in the small atrium, and the bronze statute of the cows in Brushy Creek. In recognition of his outstanding support of the library, the large meeting room in the library
was named after him. According to his wife, Janice, he was very proud of that recognition. Additionally, he had previously been recognized by the library staff as Volunteer of the Year. The library staff honors him today as we celebrate in all that he shared with us. With family and friends scattered far and wide, we were truly part of his family. Virtually every staff member shares in the loss of Henry.
When Henry wasn’t at the library, he was working on his model boats, reading, fixing things in their home, eating at Ginos, or meticulously taking care of his yard. As Janice said this week, “He wasn’t really 79. He didn’t act like any 79 year old I know.” It is probably this level of energy, feisty view of life, and untimely death that has caught all of us off-guard. Henry, we hope your revolution comes about. As you had always said, “After the revolution, all will be alright”.