Guide to the "Dear Kev" by Larry Fink Unpublished Manuscript, 1992 January-1993 January SPEC.RARE.0351 Finding aid prepared by David Mezick Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2025 June This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2025-06-23T13:35-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard "Dear Kev" by Larry Fink Unpublished Manuscript SPEC.RARE.0351 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 1 0.2 Cubic feet 1992 January-1993 January Larry (Lawrence E.) Fink (1958-1997) was a lecturer at the Ohio State University (OSU) Department of Theatre starting in 1990 and a gay man with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In October 1991, Fink’s life partner Kevin (Kev) John Hogan died at age 35 due to complications from AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The "Dear Kev" by Larry Fink Unpublished Manuscript is a typed manuscript containing letters written by Fink to Kevin (Kev) after Kevin's death. The letters serve as a diary of Fink’s life as a gay man with HIV in Columbus, Ohio from January 1992 to January 1993. (1) 2.5" letter document box English Fink, Lawrence E., (Lawrence Edward), 1958-1997 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. RARE.2025.0056: Melvon Ankeny, 2023 September

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], "Dear Kev" by Larry Fink Unpublished Manuscript, SPEC.RARE.0351, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University

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Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.

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 Processing Information

Processed by: David Mezick, 2025 June; Finding aid written by: David Mezick, 2025, June

 Biographical Note

Larry (Lawrence E.) Fink (1958-1997) was a lecturer at the Ohio State University (OSU) Department of Theatre starting in 1990 and a gay man with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and later moved to Columbus, Ohio. Fink earned a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from OSU in 1981, was a Graduate Research Assistant for the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute from 1986-1987, earned a master’s degree in Theatre from OSU in 1988, and earned a doctorate in Theatre from OSU in 1993.

In October 1991, Fink’s life partner Kevin (Kev) John Hogan died at age 35 due to complications from AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Hogan worked in the restaurant and hotel industry, and was an active volunteer with various AIDS focused community groups. This includes the Columbus AIDS Task Force and the AIDS Interfaith Retreat Group, of which he a founding member.

 Scope and Contents

The "Dear Kev" by Larry Fink Unpublished Manuscript is a typed manuscript containing letters written by Larry Fink to his life partner Kevin (Kev) Hogan after Kevin's death due to complications from AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The letters serve as Fink’s a diary from January 1992 to January 1993. He recounts his life as a gay man with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in Columbus, Ohio, including his dating life, sexual encounters, and traveling, as well as how he is dealing with the loss of Kevin.

 Fink, Lawrence E., (Lawrence Edward), 1958-1997 Hogan, Kevin John, 1955-1991 AIDS (Disease)--Mortality--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Bereavement--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Diaries Gay college teachers--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Gay men's writings, American--Ohio--Columbus--20th century HIV-positive gay men--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Letters (correspondence) Theater--Study and teaching (Higher)--Ohio--Columbus--20th century