It was with great sadness that I read this evening of the death of Lance Latham. His 1998 book 'The Standard C Date/Time Library' is still an essential programming reference dealing with calendar conversion.

Lance was a frequent contributor to the Calndr-L mailing list and his comments were always humorous and informative. Although we only exchanged a few emails he always made time to share his knowledge and his passion for the subject. I can trace the seeds of my own project all the way back to reading the SCDTL for the first time. His work continues to be a huge inspiration - I will really miss him.


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The following comments were left on Wordpress in 2008. 

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND WORDS ABOUT LANCE. IT MAKES THIS TERRIBLE TIME FOR ME ALITTLE EASIER HEARING ALL THESE WONDERFUL STATEMENTS ABOUT LANCE. HE WILL BE MISSED BY MORE THAN JUST ME. I REALIZE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WHO FEELS THIS LOSS. AGAIN THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND PRAYERS. I AM KEEPING A COPY OF ALL THE WONDERFUL E-MAILS AND CARDS AND WILL PUT THEM TOGETHER IN A BOOK AS LANCE WOULD LOVE. THIS WILL ALWAYS HELP ME AND OTHERS KEEP HIS MEMORY WITH US.
AGAIN MY SINCERE THANKS
CAROL LATHAM
Carol Latham - August 17, 02008 - 2:56 pm

Lance was my dear, beloved, awesome friend of twenty-six years. Lance, here’s to you: your fabulous dry sense of humor, your intense vibrant and brilliant life, your devotion to Carol and your family. You were the light along the way, thank-you! I’ll miss you each day.
Judy Nehr - August 18, 02008 - 9:40 pm

Lance will be greatly missed by me and my boys. He was the greast father figure I knew. He didn’t come into my life till I was a young adult but he help guided me and show me how simple life came be and the true love a father figure showed have for their daughter even thought I wasn’t his biological daughter he loved me like I was. He took my boys under his wing and was the MOST AWESOME grandfather he could have been we will greatly miss him. Thanks Lance for being the GREAST HUSBAND, FATHER, and GRANDFATHER IN THE WORLD!!!! We are greatful for the time we got to have you. We will always love you. Michelle
Michelle Carrothers - Vredenburgh - August 20, 02008 - 12:45 pm

I have known Lance (and his parents) for about 48 years. We went to school together and were best friends in High School. I was always impressed that he was Valedictorian out of High School. We were college roommates for a year at the University of Texas. After graduation, we both worked at the same agency for a time. After we each got married, we lived in the same apartment building for a time.

I don’t think I have ever known anyone more dedicated to education and learning than Lance. He influenced my life greatly and we had a friendly competition at times, of learning new information. I know my life would have been very different without him.

As a tribute to Lance, I pushed my only son and he just graduated High School this year as Valedictorian.

Larry Goynes
Larry Goynes - October 8, 02010 - 5:49 pm

Hi Carol
You do not know me Carol, but I have stumbled upon an article, Technical Chronology, and was very interested because I am working in this field. I was hoping to contact Lance and I am sad to hear of his death. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Did Lance have any working partners that are continuing with his work?

I would like to ask a few questions that I would have wished to ask Lance.

Thank you for your time Carol
Wayne Ellwood
Wayne Ellwood - December 27, 02012 - 4:16 am