William R. Burk

The Ohio Journal of Science (2006) v. 106, p. 197

Leonard Hills Larsen, age 78, Professor Emeritus of Geology at the University of Cincinnati, died 23 August 2002, after a long and courageous fight with illness at his home. He served in the United States Navy from April 1943 to April 1946. Larsen's dedication to teaching and his compassion for people earned him respect and admiration from his students and the academic community. In 1963 he was selected as the first recipient of the University of Cincinnati's Walter H. Bucher Fund scholarship for foreign geologic travel. In 1987 the Department of Geology at UC honored him by establishing the Leonard Larsen Fund to support instructional field trips. Joining The Ohio Academy of Science in 1961, he affiliated with Section Geology, was elected a Fellow in 1963, and became an Emeritus in 1987. From 1964 to 1966 Larsen participated in the Academy's Visiting Scientists Program, teaching several courses on geology. Born 13 January 1924, in Chicago, IL, Leonard Hills Larsen (known as Len to friends and family) was the son of Merrill E. and Leora M. (Bowen) Larsen. He received his diploma from York Community High School, Elmhurst, IL, in 1942. After earning a B.S. in geology (1951) from Antioch College, he then pursued graduate studies in geology at Columbia University, where he received an M.A. (1953) and a Ph.D. (1956). Concurrently, he was a teaching and research assistant there and at the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association in Montana. His thesis concerned the "Lithology of the Cambro-Ordovician Dolomite and Its Contact Relations with the Hudson River Series in Orange County, New York." Under the direction of Professor Arie Poldervaart, Larsen completed his dissertation on "Zircon Studies in Silicic Igneous Rocks." Following graduate school, he joined the faculty in the Department of Geology at the University of Cincinnati, where he advanced in the academic ranks: assistant professor (1956-1961), associate professor (1961-1967), professor (1967-1986), and professor emeritus (1986-2002). In the department he served as interim chairperson and acting director of the Geological Museum from 1968 to 1970. Among the courses that he taught were Petrology (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary) and Mineralogy. He gained recognition as an inspiring teacher, and he imparted genuine care and compassion toward his students. According to several former students, he delivered his lectures with enthusiasm and with a thorough knowledge of his specialty, igneous and metamorphic petrology. He believed in reinforcing theoretical knowledge of the classroom with practical knowledge and observation gained from laboratory investigations and field trips. As a researcher, he conducted field work in the western United States, chiefly in the Rocky Mountain region. Concerning his scientific pursuits and investigations, it has been noted elsewhere that "he read the earth the way others read books." His resulting scientific publications include nearly 20 articles. In professional organizations Larsen held memberships in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Geological Society of America (fellow), the Geochemical Society, the Mineralogical Society of America, and the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association (president, 1969-1971). In honorary societies, he was elected a member of Sigma Xi. He was a lifelong and passionate fisherman. He also enjoyed piloting his small plane, taking numerous trips across the country. Leonard Hills Larsen is survived by his wife Bea (Rosenblum) Larsen, whom he had married on 19 June 1949. He is also survived by three children, Julia, Grey, and Neil; three siblings, Roberta, Joan, and Curt; and six grandchildren, Yakaira, Emil, Robin, Siri, Teal, and Sasha.