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HARDI, HVACR Industry Mourn the Passing of Karl Larson

March 13, 2012
It is with deep regret that HARDI announces the passing of Karl Gustave Adrian Larson, 80 years old, of Aspen, Colorado on March 4, 2012 in Palm Springs, California.

It is with deep regret that HARDI announces the passing of Karl Gustave Adrian Larson, 80 years old, of Aspen, Colorado on March 4, 2012 in Palm Springs, California.

Loving husband, father, grandfather, Karl was the ultimate dedicated family man.

He was born January 11, 1932 in Madison, Wisconsin, to Gustave and Mildred Larson and married to Madeleine Larson on December 15, 1962 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was President, CEO, and then Chairman of the Gustave A. Larson Company (www.galarson.com) from 1960 until 2012. Before that, Karl actively served in the United States Navy from 1955 until 1960 where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander when he retired from the Naval Reserve in 1978.

Karl is survived by his wife M. Madeleine Larson of Aspen, Colorado, sons Arne G. Larson (Donna) of San Antonio, Texas, Andrew G. Larson (Amy) of Boulder, Colorado, and Scott Karl Larson (Antonella) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His legacy will also live on through his grandchildren Lindsay & Kelsey (Arne & Donna), Kyle, Julia, Connor, and Tyler (Andrew &Amy), and Stephanie, Samantha, and Silvia (Scott & Antonella).

Karl was very engaged in charitable and industry boards being on the board of the Milwaukee Ballet, University of Colorado (CU) Engineering School Board, and Deacon at First Congregational Church. He was also very supportive of medical research at the Cleveland Clinic, National Jewish in Denver, and CU Children's Hospital. His contributions to the HVACR industry are countless, including his tenure as NHRAW Refrigeration Council Chairman, Regional Trustee and President.

He was an outdoorsman and motorsports enthusiast among them snow skiing, biking, golf, climbing and vintage car racing. His major accomplishments include being a varsity ski team letterman at CU, completing many major ski marathons such as the Vasaloppet in Sweden and Birkebeiner in Norway and the US, and climbing Capitol Peak in Colorado.

A memorial service to celebrate Karl's life was held this week in Palm Desert, California. Future memorial services will be held in Aspen, Colorado and Milwaukee, Wisconsin (dates and times to be determined).

The family has requested that gifts in memory of Karl Larson be made to the University of Colorado Foundation, in lieu of flowers. Gifts will be used for the Karl Larson HVAC Research Fund. Its purpose is to provide support for students at CU Boulder doing research into heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the Larson Lab in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder.