A gentleman who loved golf and the piano, and instilled in his family a love of the outdoors
Stanley Ernest Larsen, a Queen Anne resident for more than 60 years, died at home on Nov. 28.
He was 98.
Mr. Larsen was born April 7, 1909, in Tacoma, to Norwegian immigrants Siver and Florence Larsen. During his early years while attending Stadium High School, he developed his life-long devotion to the outdoors, golf and the piano. He attended the College of Puget Sound and the University of Washington, where played varsity golf. He graduated from the UW with a degree in pharmacy and, in 1932, became a pharmacist at Larsen's Pharmacy. And so he remained until the business was sold in 1937.
In 1934, Mr. Larsen had joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 1941, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was sent from Iceland to fight in the Pacific battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Tinian and Saipan. He was awarded a Purple Heart and retired as a lieutenant-colonel. While on leave in New Zealand, he met and married his lovely bride, Olive Fordham, from Wellington, N.Z. (They celebrated their 64th anniversary in June of 2007.)
The couple moved to their present home on Queen Anne Hill in 1945. Mr. Larsen was a partner in the R.H. Brown Co.; he retired in 1973. The R.H. Brown Co. continues today as a fourth-generation, 97-year-old business.
Mr. Larsen instilled in his family and friends a love of the outdoors and led many trips into the Olympic Mountains and particularly the Queets River, which he fly fished into his 90s. He was a devoted and much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend to many and an inspiration to all.
He is survived by his wife Olive; son Richard and wife Carol, grandson Bradly, and Scott, wife Debbie, and great-grandchildren Alexander and Claire; daughter Jennifer, and husband Steve Davenport; daughter Rosamund, and husband Curt Ghan, grand-
daughters Tenley and Claire; and son Stanley and wife Rachel.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m. at Queen Anne Christian Church, 1316 Third Ave. W. Remembrances can be made to the Queen Anne Christian Church or a charity of your choice.
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