1926
Edgar
2015
Edgar Larson
February 3, 1926 — March 13, 2015
Edgar W. “Bud” Larson, age 89, died following a brief illness on Friday, March 13, 2015. Bud was the husband of Mildred “Millie” for almost 64 years. She predeceased him in 2013.
Bud was born on February 3, 1926 in Argusville, North Dakota to the late Charles and Esther Vinje Larson. Bud grew up on a farm, the youngest of six children.
Bud graduated from Argusville High School in 1943 and graduated from Iowa State University (ISU) in 1949 with a major in microbiology. Bud was employed for 32 years at Fort Detrick including 22 years with the U.S. Army Biological Laboratories (USABL) and 10 years with U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). During his tenure at USABL, he directed aerosol studies in support of research and development on both biological agents and aerosol dissemination hardware. With USAMRIID, he directed research largely on the pathogenesis of airborne induced infections produced by pathogens of potential importance in medical defense. He ended his career in 1981 as the Chief of the Aerobiology Division.
Bud held membership in the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) as well as Maryland Branch of ASM. He was a past president of the Maryland Branch of ASM. He was elected to honorary Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, and was past president of the Fort Detrick Chapter, Sigma Xi.
Bud served eight years as a member, two years as president, of the Frederick County Board of Education, from 1986 to 1994.
He served six years on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley. He was a 57 year active and now honorary member of the Frederick Lodge, #684, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, participating in the numerous community programs and benevolences of the organization.
Along with his wife, Bud was a founder of the Edgar and Mildred Larson scholarship endowment fund with The Community Foundation of Frederick County with special emphasis in helping students with dyslexia.
Bud is survived by his daughters, Karen (James) McNitt of Frederick, Barbara Larson (Thomas Finkbiner) of Lenexa, Kansas, and Paula Larson of Frederick. He was the grandfather of Erin (Jan) Ruby of Baltimore, Ian McNItt of Frederick and great-grandfather of Steven Ruby. He was the host father in 1979 of German-AFS student Astrid Eder, now of Centennial, Colorado. He is also survived by his brothers, Burton (Alice) Larson of Bismarck, North Dakota, and Alworth Larson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings, Floyd Larson, Maurice Larson, and Charlotte Owens.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18th from the funeral home chapel.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Edgar and Mildred Larson Scholarship Fund c/o The Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.
Bud was born on February 3, 1926 in Argusville, North Dakota to the late Charles and Esther Vinje Larson. Bud grew up on a farm, the youngest of six children.
Bud graduated from Argusville High School in 1943 and graduated from Iowa State University (ISU) in 1949 with a major in microbiology. Bud was employed for 32 years at Fort Detrick including 22 years with the U.S. Army Biological Laboratories (USABL) and 10 years with U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). During his tenure at USABL, he directed aerosol studies in support of research and development on both biological agents and aerosol dissemination hardware. With USAMRIID, he directed research largely on the pathogenesis of airborne induced infections produced by pathogens of potential importance in medical defense. He ended his career in 1981 as the Chief of the Aerobiology Division.
Bud held membership in the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) as well as Maryland Branch of ASM. He was a past president of the Maryland Branch of ASM. He was elected to honorary Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, and was past president of the Fort Detrick Chapter, Sigma Xi.
Bud served eight years as a member, two years as president, of the Frederick County Board of Education, from 1986 to 1994.
He served six years on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley. He was a 57 year active and now honorary member of the Frederick Lodge, #684, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, participating in the numerous community programs and benevolences of the organization.
Along with his wife, Bud was a founder of the Edgar and Mildred Larson scholarship endowment fund with The Community Foundation of Frederick County with special emphasis in helping students with dyslexia.
Bud is survived by his daughters, Karen (James) McNitt of Frederick, Barbara Larson (Thomas Finkbiner) of Lenexa, Kansas, and Paula Larson of Frederick. He was the grandfather of Erin (Jan) Ruby of Baltimore, Ian McNItt of Frederick and great-grandfather of Steven Ruby. He was the host father in 1979 of German-AFS student Astrid Eder, now of Centennial, Colorado. He is also survived by his brothers, Burton (Alice) Larson of Bismarck, North Dakota, and Alworth Larson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings, Floyd Larson, Maurice Larson, and Charlotte Owens.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18th from the funeral home chapel.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Edgar and Mildred Larson Scholarship Fund c/o The Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.
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