Roger Larson, 87, passed away on Oct. 8, 2013. He was born Oct. 28, 1925 on a farm near Wausa, Nebraska to Ted and Alveda Larson, who were second generation Swedish immigrants. With a strong sense of duty to his country, Roger applied for and was accepted into the Air Force Cadet Program in 1943 and eventually attained the rank of Captain and the Honor of Group Bombardier-Navigator in the 20th Air Force.
After the war, Roger moved to Lincoln and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During college, he met the love of his life, Shirley Laflin, and they married in 1950. He started his radio career in October of 1953 as an account executive for KFOR, then moved on to become General Manager and Vice President. After his 40-year career with KFOR, Roger worked for NBC Bank, which became Wells Fargo. He spent the last four years working as a fundraising consultant for SLR Communications, with his daughter. For many years the citizens of Lincoln have heard him end his radio editorials with, “I am Roger Larson, and that is the way I see it.”
During his illustrious career, Roger received many honors including being inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Roger T. Larson Community Builder Award, the Burnham Yates Outstanding Citizen Award from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the Broadcast Pioneer Award from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and the University of Nebraska College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Roger served in leadership roles for more than 40 organizations and raised millions of dollars for community projects. His attitude toward community involvement began with his Swedish family heritage. He simply believed it was his duty and responsibility to work to improve his community and society in general, and to make things better for future generations. In 2012, a new 10-story building at the corner of 13th and Q in downtown Lincoln was named the Larson Building in his honor.
His greatest joy, however, came from his roles as loving husband, father and grandfather, and he enjoyed a close relationship with every member of his family.
Roger’s family includes his wife of 63 years, Shirley, his three loving children and their spouses: Ted (Susie), Tom (Kim Collier) and Susan Larson Rodenburg (Rich), his adored grandchildren: Kalie Maree Larson, William Thomas Larson, Carolyn Irene Collier, Max Larson Rodenburg, Jack Larson Rodenburg, Uta Maree Larson, Thor Bjorn Larson, all of Lincoln. Brothers Bob Larson of Des Moines, Iowa and Paul Larson of Murrieta, California. Brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Proceeded in death by sister, Marilyn.
Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday (10-11-13) Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hill Blvd. with Pastor Greg Olson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Roger Larson fund at the Lincoln Community Foundation, 215 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 68508 or to the Roger T. Larson Scholarship fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508.