Neil Larsen

Neil Larsen, Master Sgt., USAF (Ret.), passed away on January 2, 2015 at the age of 85. He was born on July 24, 1929, one of six children to Arthur and Marion Larsen (both deceased). He is survived by two of his children, Karen Arnold, of Hypoluxo, FL and his son, Jeffery Larsen, of Gold Bar, WA. Also surviving him are his sister, Judith Slusman, of Island Heights; brothers, Stewart and his wife Georgiana of Boerne, TX, David of Ridgewood, NJ; sister-in-law, Barbara, of Berwyn, IL, and son-in-law, Timothy Arnold. His daughter, Karol Griffin; his twin brother, Frederick, and his brother, Arthur, pre-deceased him. Neil graduated from East Orange High School in 1947 and immediately enlisted in the Naval Reserve. He was transferred to the Air Force, where he served for 20 years. Neil had memorable assignments in the administrative, legal, and intelligence fields while stationed in many states. He served overseas in the Marshal Islands, participating in the DOD atomic testing programs during the years of 1947-1956, where he witnessed many atomic and hydrogen weapons tests. After attending the Army's Strategic Intelligence School in Washington, D.C., he was assigned duty with the Air Attache system at the US Embassy in Venezuela and Ecuador. Upon ending this duty, he was assigned to McGuire, AFB in New Jersey. The next year, Neil was assigned to the US MTM in Saudi Arabia. He returned to Kirtland AFB and retired from active duty in September of 1967. Neil became the catering manager of the Kirtland Officers' Club. He was promoted to club manager, a position he held for 22 years. He retired from civil service in July of 1994. Being "gainfully unemployed," as he liked to say, he devoted his time to golf and his beloved Lobo Football. He was a season ticket holder for many years and was a long-time member of the Lobo Club. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve, American Legion Post 49, and while club manager, he held the positions of secretary/treasurer and president of the Land of Enchantment Chapter of the Club Managers Association. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - University. One way to make Papa Neil smile is to show support by wearing LOBO RED to the Memorial Service. At Neil's request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Bill Weeks Memorial Football Scholarship Fund, MSC07 4260, 1 University of NM, Albuquerque, NM, 87131. FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333