Lawrence David Shriberg

Lawrence D. (“Larry”) Shriberg died on April 26, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.

He was born in Newton, Massachusetts to Samuel and Shyrlie (Tatelman) Shriberg, grew up in nearby Waltham, and attended Waltham High School. He did his undergraduate work at Syracuse University, and earned a master’s degree in speech pathology at Boston University, and a PhD. at the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas Medical School. In 1970, following clinical work in Bridgeport Connecticut, Larry joined the faculty of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at UW-Madison. He began his prolific research career at the Waisman Center where he established the Phonology Clinic and built what may be the largest database in the world of recordings of children’s speech. He also developed PEPPER (Programs to Examine Phonetic and Phonologic Evaluation Records), a computerized record-keeping system to aid in the storage and analysis of speech data used widely by researchers and speech clinicians to assess and classify children with speech sound disorders of known or unknown origin.

Larry was the recipient of many awards, including Honors of the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association in 2002 for distinguished contributions to the field; the Alfred K. Kawana Council of Editors Award in 2004, that recognizes a sustained history of exemplary publications; and the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010 from the University of Kansas Medical School. For most of his career, Larry engaged in National Institutes of Health-sponsored research that included national and international collaborations in idiopathic disorders, genetic disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, hearing loss, and a number of motor-speech disorders. His last publication on genome sequencing of idiopathic speech delay was published in March 2024, only one month before his death at the age of almost 85.

Larry played the acoustic bass and loved jazz music. In his 70s, he found speed walking and competed in a number of marathons across the country. He was a reader and admirer of the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson – especially the essay, “Self Reliance,” and the poem, “What Is Success?” He loved to travel and enjoyed wonderful trips to many parts of the world.

Larry was a wise, humble, and kind person who was adored by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda Mintz Shriberg; children Elizabeth Shriberg (Andreas Stolcke), Kathryn (Matt) Carrier; and Janet Shriberg; grandchildren Tate, Adam, Chelsea, Peter, and Sylvie; brother Arthur (Margie) Shriberg and sister Judy (Jon) Quint. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Jerry Shriberg (Dan Mills).

A scholarship fund is being established in Larry’s name at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation) for graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding work in their thesis or dissertation research. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the ASHFoundation, 2200 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850; note Lawrence D. Shriberg Memorial Fund in the Memo Section. Online donations may be made at: https://www.ashfoundation.org/ways-to-give/honor-or-memorial-donation-form/; indicate Lawrence D. Shriberg Memorial Fund in the Additional Information box. Or please consider donating to Temple Beth El Madison, or to a charity of your choice. 

A memorial observation is being planned for June.

Please share your memories of Larry here in his Guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434