Robert F. Larson

Robert F. Larson, 83, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed away, Friday, September 13th, 2013. Robert was born in Dearborn, Michigan on March 24, 1930, the son of the late Trygve and Solveig (Larsen) Larson. He was a former resident of Troy, Michigan; Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Dearborn, Michigan. He was a graduate of Fordson High School and Muskingum College. An ordained minister, he received degrees from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He served as the Pastor at The Irons Memorial U. P. Church in McDonald, Pennsylvania in the mid-50’s. Bob received his Ph.D. in communications from the University of Michigan in 1969. While at Ann Arbor, he was a teaching fellow and received the MCA Graduate Fellowship in Creative Writing and The Hopwood Major Award in playwriting (1962 -1964). He began a career in public broadcasting as a writer at WITF-TV/FM in Hershey, Pa. in 1964 and became its General Manager and President in 1970. During his early years as a producer/writer/director, Larson’s projects were honored in three successive years with the national NET Distinguished Award for a Total Community Television Project. He was also honored with national Emmy nominations in 1972 (ALL ABOUT WELFARE) and 1975 (CLOSING THE GAP). In 1983, he moved to Detroit where he served as WTVS Channel 56’s President and General Manager until his retirement in 1995. During his time in Detroit, WTVS received over 200 broadcasting awards including 105 Emmys from the Detroit/Michigan Chapter of Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary (WHO KILLED VINCENT CHIN). Bob was inseparable from the belief that “Community Development” was public television’s mission and special calling. Bob was a member of Faith Presbysterian Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield Hills, MI. He is preceded in death by his parents, by his sister, the late Joan Larson Brundage, and by his loving wife and best friend of 55 years Shirley Burch Larson. Robert is survived by two sons: Robb J. Larson and wife Ceil of Kissimmee, and Peer C. Larson and his wife Yvette of Oxford, MI. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Adam, Jacob, Clarisse, and Lillian. The love we feel now and always for our father and grandfather are only surpassed by the love and devotion he showed his family and friends throughout his life. There will be a visitation from 1 – 3 pm on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Osceola Memory Gardens, Kissimmee, FL. with a Funeral Service at 3:00 PM with Pastor Jeff Jakes Officiating. Following the service, the family will be hosting a reception at the residence of his son, Robb J. Larson. The family requests that you honor their beloved Robert’s life and memory through donations to the American Cancer Society @ 1.800.227.2345, option 2 or to www.cancer.org. Arrangements under the direction of Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744 407-847-2494 www.osceolamemgds.com

Robert F. Larson

March 24, 1930 - September 13, 2013