Neal Roper Larsen

Neal grew up in the small town of Walden in upstate New York. After attending local schools, he graduated from Colgate University in 1967, with a BA in Liberal Arts. Following his graduation from Colgate, Neal started law school at Boston University, only to be interrupted by the events in South East Asia. He enlisted in the US Airforce and first got to Texas to attend Officer’s Training School at Lackland AFB in San Antonio in the Summer of 1969. A few days after OTS commenced, he married his wife of 20 years Linda Kaufman, with whom they shared two children born in 1976 and 1979.

After a four year tour at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC, Neal was discharged as a Captain. He graduated from law school at Washington University in DC in 1974, then started his law career at TRW in Washington, DC shortly thereafter.

Over the next 25 years, Neal had a long and illustrious career at MCI Communications, starting as a commercial contracts officer in 1981. He helped start the company’s cellular subsidiary, working on procurement and licensing issues in the US and internationally. In the mid 1980s he applied his legal training and advocacy skills as a regulatory attorney and government relations expert, leading the company’s regional, and then in the early 2000s its national advocacy efforts, managing the company’s relationships with state governments around the country. In 2007 MCI was acquired by Verizon, and Neal assumed similar responsibilities for that company as Vice President of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs for three years until his retirement.

Neal was known and respected for his judgment, humor, and integrity, and was universally respected by colleagues, adversaries, public officials and especially by his employees. His many successes were due to his personal style; he persuaded with logic, and a calm and friendly demeanor. Those same traits endeared him to his many friends and colleagues.

Neal was a faithful member of the Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He enjoyed walking the shore with his dog, Petra at his home in Port Aransas, traveling the world, cooking and entertaining at his home, and he was very involved in politics since he was a young adult.

In his later years, Neal enjoyed traveling on cruises in Europe and China, a safari in South Africa, visiting his daughter’s family in Australia, and was especially fond of his ancestral country of Denmark. His greatest joy and love was spending time with his children and their families. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Owen and Isla, and would always find a way to attend Grandparents’ Day each year at each of their schools.

Neal is survived by son Robert Alexander Larsen (Patricia) of Austin, TX, daughter Katherine McKee Hassall (Iain) of San Francisco, CA, grandson Owen, granddaughter Isla, and his dear cousin who was more of a sister, Barbara Hepner of Phoenix, AZ.

A memorial service will be held for Neal on Saturday September 9, 2023 at 4pm at Westlake Presbyterian Church in Austin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Larsen family.