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Obituary
Russell D. Larsen
Grace Gardens Funeral Home
Grace Gardens Funeral Home
Dr. Russell David (Russ) Larsen, Jr. of Hewitt passed away on February 12, 2011 after a brief illness. Russ was born June 6, 1936, in Muskegon, Michigan. After undergraduate and graduate studies in chemistry, he earned the first Ph.D. degree granted by Kent State University, in Kent, Ohio. He married Nita Bargahiser in 1958.
Dr. Larsen taught chemistry for 27 years at various universities. After a mid-career reorientation and earning a master’s degree in public health in 1990, he spent the remainder of his career as an epidemiologist in the Texas department of Public Health. In 200, Dr. Larsen and his wife Nita both retired to Waco. He was active in the local chapters of Sons of Norway and the Kiwanis Club of Waco Seniors, and was an avid fan of Baylor University basketball.
Dr. Larsen was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Lange. He is survived by his wife Nita; a son, Erik of Jacksonville, Florida; a daughter Suzan Martin of Waco; son-in-law Greg Martin, of Waco; two grandchildren Alex and Ryan Martin of Waco; brother-in-law Emert Lange of Muskegon, Michigan; two nephews; and four nieces.