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Richard David Larson died Monday, November 25, 2013. Richard passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with malignant melanoma, at Rochester Methodist Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born in Soudan on August 30, 1947, to Richard and June Larson. He was raised in Soudan and graduated from Tower-Soudan High School and the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology and audiology. He was a speech clinician in the Hibbing School District for 34 years. He coached Hibbing boys' basketball for 24 years, with 8 as head varsity coach. Dick was respected for the way he lived his life to influence the lives of so many students and athletes. He was always positive and encouraging. His coaching philosophy was focused not so much on the win/loss column, instead on working together as a team. This philosophy brought much success to Dick in his tenure as head coach - winning several region championships, a trip to the state tournament in 1989, and a career record of 122-42. Dick's deepest love was his family. His wife Nancy was the love of his life for 44 years. He was so proud of his children Tom and Tina with whom he shared his many talents as Handy Dad and Boat Flipper. Dick was a quiet, contemplative, gentle, hard-working man who built the family's Ely Island cabin 28 years ago on Lake Vermilion. Yet, he had a playful spirit of play and loved sharing the cabin as leader of the coaches annual fishing and smear-playing Dr. Phillipps Fishing Retreat. Also known as "Walleye", he served as editor of their Prime Time Slime newsletter. This true friendship, brotherhood and caring relationship were the focus of this annual retreat for 33 years. Dick was a very skilled, self-taught carpenter, remodeling many family and friends' homes and cabin over the years. He loved playing and storytelling with his grandchildren, world traveling, dog-sitting his granddogs, watching good baseball, college basketball, fishing, golfing and just being at his Ely Island cabin with his family and friends. He enjoyed many simple pleasures and the little things in life. He was a member of the Stuntz Bay Association, Ely Golf Club's Senior Couples League, Forest Glen Golf and Country Club in Naples, FL, and Celebration Community Beach Church in Naples.
Dick is survived by his wife Nancy; son Thomas (Katherine) Larson; daughter Kristina (Robert) Carlson; grandchildren Ryan Larson and Molly Larson; mother June Larson; brother Steven Larson; and many special nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard and his grandparents.
A Gathering time for family and friends will be held Wednesday, December 4. 2103 from 12 Noon until the 1:00 p.m. Memorial Service in the Bauman-Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Pastor David Young will officiate.
Honorary pallbearers are best friend: Mitch Mesojedec, and Dr. Phillipps "brothers" Deer Lake Denny, Wanamingo Kid, Jurk-o-Leech, TTT of T, Snagglerock-Sheetrock, and Big Z.
Memorials may be directed to the Melanoma Research Foundation at www.melanoma.org
May every sunrise hold more promise and may every sunset hold more peace.
Family Services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. The share personal condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Facts

Born: August 30, 1947
Place of Birth: Soudan, MN
Death: November 25, 2013
Place of Death: Rochester, MN
Occupation: Speech Clinician for the Hibbing School District
Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Golf, and cherished time spent with family

Services Gathering Time for Family & Friends

Wednesday December 4, 2013 , 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m. at Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home

Wednesday December 4, 2013 , 1:00 p.m. at Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home

Wednesday December 4, 2013 , 2:15 p.m. at St. Martin's Catholic Church