College of Business is Sad to Announce the Passing of Former CoB Dean, Harvey Larson

His memorial service will be held 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 W. Graf St., (off South 19th Avenue) in Bozeman.

Larson retired as dean of MSU’s College of Business in 1984. He first came to MSU as an assistant professor teaching business courses. He was soon tapped to head the School of Business. Under his guidance, enrollment grew from 200 to 1,600 business majors, and the school became a college. After he retired, he served two years with the MSU Foundation obtaining support for programs and student scholarships. Larson was present at many CoB scholarship banquets and was frequently a scholarship presenter.

Larson was born Jan. 19, 1923 and raised on the family farm near Barrett, Minn. After starting college his plans were altered by World War II as he left to work in an aircraft assembly plant where he was inspired to apply for selection in a Naval aviation flight training program in 1942. His training and service as a Marine Corps flight instructor took him to bases around the country over the next four years. Later, Larson was recalled for active Marine Corps duty during the Korean War where he piloted helicopters in an air/sea rescue unit based in Hawaii. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a lieutenant-colonel.

Larson married LaVille Henjum in 1945, six years after their first chance meeting in 1939. The two were married 66 years.

Between military stints Larson returned to Minnesota to resume his education, and he eventually earned three degrees, including a doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

His career as a teacher and administrator included positions as a high school teacher in Floodwood, Minn.; president of Dawson Junior College in Glendive, Mont.; and finally, a long and distinguished career at Montana State University in Bozeman.
Numerous professional and service organizations benefited from Larson’s leadership. He served as president for the following organizations: Rotary International, for which he also served as district governor; the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce; Bozeman Little League; the Sons of Norway; and the Campus Christian Center Corporation.

Larson also volunteered his time with the Hope Lutheran Church Men’s Club; Senior Fellowship; the Bozeman Senior Social Center, and many more organizations.

Larson received numerous special recognition and awards such as the MSU Blue and Gold Award in 1988, the Chamber of Commerce Guy Sperry Award for Community Service, the Big Sky Retired Teachers 1997 Community Service Award, and others.

Larson is survived by his wife, LaVille Larson; children Reed (Cheryl) Larson, of Parker, Colo., and granddaughter Marissa; Rachel (Jeff) Long, of Billings, and granddaughter Jenni; Robb (Teresa) Larson, of Bozeman, and grandsons Scott and Austin; brother Ellard Larson (Joan), of Barrett, Minn.; sister Janice Allen (Don) of Belleville, Ill., and a large extended family.

Larson could be depended upon to brighten any occasion with an appropriate joke or one-liner. He was in demand as an emcee, high school commencement speaker, a president, a board member, administrator and tour guide. He was a dedicated Bobcat fan, a proud American, and a devoted husband and father.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bozeman Senior Social Center, the Hope Lutheran Church Music Department, or the charity of your choice.