Robert Wendel Larse

Robert "Bob" Larse, age 87, was born June 22, 1925, in Bellingham, WA, and died April 15, 2013, in East Wenatchee, WA. He was raised from an infant in Cashmere, where his parents, Victor and Marie Larse, were longtime orchardists. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in early 1943, and served with the amphibious forces in four Western Pacific engagements. He attended both Central Washington College and the University of Washington, graduating in 1951 with degrees in Logging Engineering and Forest Management. He was a member of both the Society of American Foresters and American Society of Civil Engineers. Bob married Sylvia Stedman in 1955, and they made their home in several Western State locations, including 11 years in Okanogan. He was a career employee of the U.S. Forest Service, that began with a summer job in 1940, and ended with his retirement in 1980, as the Regional Engineer in Missoula, MT. They then left the rigors of the Montana winters and built a home in East Wenatchee. Sylvia passed away in 1991. Bob later married Jian Ping Wu, a native of Beijing, China, whom he had first met on a round-the-world trek. Bob involved himself in many diverse activities through the years. He was a charter member and Captain of the Okanogan County Sheriff's Posse. He was a long-time pilot for the Civil Air Patrol and participated in many search missions in the Western States, as well as other U.S. Air Force missions. While in Okanogan, he raised a small herd of Morgan horses, which he used in many pack trips throughout the North Cascades. Upon retirement, he traveled extensively in Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia and other remote corners of the earth, often alone with only a backpack. Aside from travel, the restoration of antique and classic automobiles also occupied much of his leisure time over a 20 year period. Locally, he served on numerous citizen's committees relating to transportation and land-use issues. As a member of the Presbyterian Church, he devoted untold energy to the upkeep of church properties in the communities which he lived, as well as serving as an Elder in three different churches. Bob is survived by his wife, Jian Ping; stepson, Roger Admiral of Corvallis, OR; daughter, Nancy Locke of Spokane; stepdaughter, Ming Li; grandchildren, Stacie, Ryan and Alexandria; and great-grandchildren, Taylor and Addison. At the request of the deceased, No Formal Services will be held. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA.

Robert Wendel Larse

June 22, 1925 - April 15, 2013