Larry Bugen died peacefully in his home in Austin on Thursday, May 16, 2013 after an ongoing battle with cancer. He was 66. His distinctive gentle manner, warm smile and kindness are irreplaceable. As so many have said, “His high spirited generosity buoyed them up during difficult times in their personal journeys.” Born in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1946 to Morris and Anne Bugen, he began his swimming career at the local YMCA pool and went on to earn numerous accolades at Easton Area High School. That passion for swimming would continue throughout his collegiate and adult life earning him recognition locally and nationally at the Senior Olympics. Larry attended Temple University in Philadelphia for his Bachelor’s degree in psychology, the University of Pennsylvania for his Masters degree and subsequently the University of Missouri for his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.
It was somewhat unlikely that Larry and Claire became Texans. When Larry first broke the news to his wife in 1975 that he wanted to do a post-doctoral fellowship at UT Austin, she shuddered at the thought of relocating to “the south” with stockyards and cattle roaming wild in the streets. In a failed attempt to ease her trepidation, Larry returned from his interview clad in cowboy hat and boots and singing the praises of a place called the Soap Creek Saloon. It was only the enticement that the School for the Deaf seemed ideal for her to continue her passion for teaching deaf children that led to the move to Austin and it’s here where both have built successful professional careers and raised their two children Erik age, 37 and Jessica age 34.
After completing his post-doctoral fellowship, Larry spent three years as an Assistant Professor at UT and subsequent to that Director of the Counseling Center at St. Edwards University. He launched his private practice in 1979 with the creation of the Austin Stress Clinic, but soon his passion for clinical work took precedent and he established a full time private psychotherapy practice that has flourished over the past 30 years. As an author of several books including Love and Renewal, Larry became a local and nationally renowned couple’s therapist. His insight into relationships has made him one of the most sought after couples’ therapists in Austin.
As a founding member of Hospice Austin, his publications and clinical influence in the arena of death and dying are also noteworthy. His text, Death and Dying: Research, Theory and Practice has been used in university classrooms across the nation. His latest publication, Stuck on Me, Missing You, chronicles narcissism and its effect on love and relationships. The gifts of the heart he shared in his writing, in his clinical work and with all who knew him will forever be a tribute to his legacy.
photo by Gene Burch
In addition to his family and career, Larry’s other great loves were photography and travel. When his lens was not focused on the psyches of his clients it was directed at capturing that perfect photographic image. Whether at home among the bluebonnets or continents away along The Great Wall, Larry believed that both psychology and photography represent the balance between what is in focus, as well as out of focus, in our lives. The beauty that he saw within every human being, every relationship, and every culture was captured in his last, and perhaps his most beloved publication, The World I See, a collection of his most memorable photos spanning five continents.
Larry is survived by his wife of 43 years, Claire, his children Erik Bugen and Jessica Hutson, son-in-law, Ryan Hutson, sister Shelly Devine, brother-in law Richard Devine, niece and nephew Lisa Devine and Michael Devine and his treasured Aunts, Uncles and Cousins of Easton and Philadelphia Pa.
The family would like to thank Dr. Beth Hellerstedt at Texas Oncology, Dr. Stephen Brown at Austin Cancer Center and MD Anderson’s GU Clinic doctors and staff. We are also eternally grateful for the loving care of Larry and our family provided by Hospice Austin.
A celebration of the life of Dr. Larry A. Bugen will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at 4:00 p.m. followed immediately by a reception in the gallery. Memories and tributes may be made at www.drbugen.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Larry’s memory to Hospice Austin at http://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved/donate/ or the Texas School for the Deaf Foundation at https://tsdfoundation.org/get-involved/donate.