Robert W. Larson

W. Larson, Cornell Class of 1943 residing in Freeville, NY, beloved husband of Margo Larson, passed away on November 12, 2009 at the age of 87. Robert W. Larson, Cornell Class of 1943 residing in Freeville, NY, beloved husband of Margo Larson, passed away on November 12, 2009 at the age of 87. Larson was the father of ten children, fourteen grandchildren, and a great grandson.

Born in Dover, NJ on January 28, 1922, Larson received a B.S. Degree from Cornell and attended Rutgers University for graduate work in mortgage banking, where he also served as an instructor as well as at the American University of Banking. He was a Major in the U.S. Army serving in WWII as an Artillery Battery Commander with the 34th (Red Devils) and 88th Divisions of the 5th Army in Italy, and saw combat in the Po Valley and Appennines Campaigns. After WWII, he became captain and coach of the U.S. Army Touring International Track Team for which he also competed in javelin, high jump, and the 1600-meter relay. Larson later founded and was the chief contributor of The Larson/Brown Invitational Track and Field Meet in New Jersey which, for 20 years, encouraged the participation of urban, underprivileged athletes of all backgrounds and spurred their achievements on the track and in the classroom. Many of these athletes went on to become Olympians.

In 1958, Larson founded Larson Mortgage Company and guided its growth from an individual proprietorship to a diverse company of 650 people in six states which later became Cenlar Capital Corporation based in Ewing, New Jersey, a wholly employee owned banking company. For 25 years, Larson was actively involved in the development and building of modest-income housing across the state of New Jersey; and authored several widely read articles on mortgage financing, modest-income housing, and the challenges of urban housing. In the wake of the riots of the 1960’s, Larson capitalized and founded Howlar Construction Company, which employed local African-Americans as tradesmen and managers in the construction of modest-income housing in Plainfield, New Jersey and environs. Larson was a pioneer in fair housing by spearheading such efforts in New Jersey, including expanding access to mortgage loans to minorities. Larson's actions and equal opportunity mindset during the height of racial discrimination in the housing market have continued to expand housing opportunities for people of all backgrounds and set a precedent for mortgage practices around the northeast. Larson also was one of the first mortgage bankers in the country to fully diversify his staff, and his company was one of the first in America with female African-American executive officers.

He was a leader in national mortgage banking for 30 years, President of The New Jersey Board of Governors of the New Jersey Mortgage Bankers Association, member of the Board of Governors of the Mortgage Bankers of America, served on the Federal National Mortgage Association Advisory Board, and was a frequent guest lecturer of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and National Institute of Home Builders.

At the request of the Governor of New Jersey, he formed the New Jersey Mortgage Finance Agency dedicated to the creation of modest-income housing. Larson worked with the U.S. Senate and House Banking Committees to develop urban-related legislation and testified before those committees on matters relating to modest-income and urban housing. He served as Housing Commissioner for the Township of Edison, New Jersey and was a leader in community affairs, and also served as director of the Plainfield YMCA.

Larson traveled extensively through Europe, Africa, and Asia. With a Cornell University group, he was one of the first Americans to travel to China after President Nixon’s historic trip east in 1971. At 6’4”, tall by even American standards, Larson was besieged and tailed by curious Chinese throughout the country. He traveled to Poland regularly and from 1975-1984 served as special consultant to the Polish government to develop various trade arrangements between Poland and the United States, including the financing of the first high rise office buildings and hotels in Central Warsaw, including a 46 story building that was the Marriot Hotel and LOT Airlines headquarters, for whom he later served as a consultant.

Larson was a member of the Tower Club of Cornell University, advisor to and member of the Cornell Real Estate Council, and a former member of the Cornell University Council. He was also a member of the Founders Club of Cornell University and sponsored several foreign students to Cornell from Poland, China, and Guyana.

Larson met his wife, Margo Mayr Larson, when she was running the volunteer campaign for a gubernatorial race in the early 80's. Married for 23 years, they were close and affectionate companions with many interests in common, and worked together overseas particularly in Poland. They traveled worldwide including making a voyage to Antarctica on a Cornell University sponsored trip.

Larson was pre-deceased by his son Christian Larson who was also a Cornellian, and is survived by Sandy Larson of North Brunswick NJ; Michela Larson of Boston, MA; Marthe Larson Fowler of London, England; Robb Larson of Spotswood, NJ; Augustus Larson of Far Hills, NJ; Giovanna Larson Crowther of Vienna, Austria; George Larson of Chatham, NJ; Jayne Amelia Larson of Santa Monica, CA, also a Cornellian; and Jonathan Larson of Boston, MA, also a Cornellian. His former wife, Francesca Nadalini, resides in Far Hills, New Jersey.

Larson was an avid golfer well into his 80’s and was a member of The Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey, the Breakers West Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Dryden Lake Golf Club. In 2001, he shot his age and even won two golfing awards in 2005. By trade he was a mortgage banker, but in his heart he was a farmer, and particularly loved to grow corn and tomatoes, and was well known in the Ithaca community for regular dispensing of his prize produce.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Alan Kinney officiating. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 12 PM to 2 PM at the funeral home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053 Phone 607-844-8161 or visit www.perkinsfuneralhome.com

There will also be a service at 11 AM Friday, November 20, 2009 at the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church, 45 Church St, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920, Friends are invited to call Friday at the church from 9 AM to 11AM. A time of fellowship will be held at church after the funeral service. http://www.libertycorner.org/

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of Robert W. Larson to: The Cornell University Track and Field Team where he was a life long contributor. Gifts can be made payable to ‘Cornell University’ and with ‘Track Development Fund’ on the memo line. Mail to: Attn: Stephen Caraher, Cornell University, Athletics & Physical Education, Teagle Hall, Ithaca, NY.14853

Online gifts can be made at https://www.giving.cornell.edu/give/?gifttype=2&gifttype2=3

The first pull down menu should read "Athletics and Physical Education".

In the second pull down menu, select "Other" and write in “Track Development Fund” in the designation box.