Robert Leslie Larsen

Robert "Bob" Leslie Larsen, 82, of Spread Eagle, WI and Longboat Key, FL, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at his home in Florida. He was born September 12, 1929 in Quinnesec, MI, son of the late Arthur and Amy (Rees) Larsen. He graduated from Kingsford High School and the University of Michigan where he received an undergraduate degree with honors followed by an MBA. While at the University, he was a star pitcher for the baseball team. Mr. Larsen served four years in the United States Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He served with Carrier Air Group 15 in the Western Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. During his training, he established new academic achievement records at several military schools. Following his service, he returned to Procter & Gamble where he served in areas of increasing responsibility until his retirement as an Associate Director in 1989. After retirement, he returned to the Spread Eagle area. Robert married Sally Jane Huron in 1979 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. She preceded him in death on January 8, 2010, along with his parents, a sister June (Wales), and brother, David. He is survived by three children, their spouses and grandchildren who will miss him greatly, Tom (Jo-Ann) Larsen and their daughter, Katharine, of Milford, CT; Paul (Darrell Waits) Larsen of Marietta, GA; and Laura (Ray) Gordnier of Centerville, OH and their children, Teri, Peter, Shari and Michael. He is also survived by two stepchildren and grandchildren, Shelby (Pete) Merckx of Spread Eagle and their children, Sally Ann and Nick; and John (Laura) Buford and their daughter Claire of Boone, NC. Mr. Larsen was a member of the Chippewa Club, The Pine Grove Country Club and the First Presbyterian Church in Iron Mountain and a member of the Christ Presbyterian Church in Longboat Key, Florida. He held roles as both a member and president of the Florence County School Board, Chair of the Florence County Republican Party, member and president of the Dickinson County Memorial Hospice Board, and Board member of Khoury Inc. An avid golfer for his entire life, Bob enjoyed his Tuesday traveling golf group, his regular Wednesday foursome and an annual miniature golf championship where he teamed with his granddaughter Katharine to routinely trounce his son and daughter in law. Bob also enjoyed playing cribbage with the boys at the 6-7-8 Club. A memorial service will be held in June at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford and announced prior to that time. Towards the end of his life, and given his time spent in service to our country, Mr. Larsen had expressed an interest in helping veterans and their families. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made to Hope For The Warriors. Donations can be made online at www.hopeforthewarriors.org or by mail to: Hope For The Warriors, 5101C Backlick Road, Annandale, VA 22003 The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements. Condolences to Bob's family can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

Robert Leslie Larsen

January 26, 1930 - January 26, 2012