Dr. Richard H Larson
(October 25, 1925 – March 27, 2013)
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Shelbyville, IL with Pastor E. Wade Helmkamp officiating. Visitations are 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Monday in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL and one hour before services Tuesday in the church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Shelbyville, IL; Shelby Memorial Hospital Foundation, or the Dr. and Mrs. Richard H. Larson Athletic Training Scholarship at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Dr. Larson was born on October 25, 1925 in Chicago, IL, the son of Victor Sigfrid and Helena Ann Drebes Larson. In 1942, at age 17, he enlisted in the Navy and became part of the Medical School Program. He married Geraldine Anne Liebig September 7, 1946. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1948. He was a physician in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, performing triage surgery on a hospital ship off the coast of Inchon.
Dr. Larson practiced general medicine in Shelbyville, IL from 1951 until 1985. He then joined the Student Health Services staff at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL. During his time there, he became its Director and especially enjoyed his role as Team Physician. In 1996 he was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.
He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and served on the Shelbyville Board of Education. In Charleston, he loved singing with the Coles County Barbershop Chorus. During and after his 30 year aircraft ownership, he continued his “hangar flying” as an FAA Medical Examiner. In October of 2010, he joined other veterans on a WWII Honor Flight to Washington, DC.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Anne “Jerry” Larson; daughter, Barbara J. Degler and husband Steve of Mattoon, IL; son-in-law, Gary R. Barnes of Apopka, FL; granddaughters, Julia D. Boyd and husband William III of Mattoon, IL and Samantha L. Barnes of Kirkland, WA; and great-grandchildren, Jacqueline Boyd and Jacob Boyd both of Mattoon, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Deborah L. Barnes; and brother, Robert J. Larson.
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