Thomas Laurence Larsen

Thomas Laurence Larsen was born June 29, 1941, in Riverton, Wyoming and passed away at home on February 1, 2024, from a melanoma. His parents were working in the logging industry for the summer. Tom grew up on the family farm in Taylor, North Dakota, being named valedictorian of his high school graduating class. He played the bass drum in the band and sang in the concert choir, in addition to numerous other groups. Tom graduated from North Dakota State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He enjoyed touring the country with the Concert Choir and was in Air Force ROTC where he received a regular commission in the Air Force. In the fall of 1963, he was assigned to the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright- Patterson Air Force Base at Dayton, Ohio, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. Following graduation, Tom was assigned to the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory where he served as a project engineer for the final construction and operation of the 50 Megawatt Facility, the world’s largest electric arc-heated hypersonic test facility. There he tested nose tips for Minuteman II ballistic missiles and nose and wing leading edge materials for the space shuttle. In the fall of 1969, the Air Force sent Tom to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he received a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. He conducted high pressure rocket engine research in support of the space shuttle main engine development. There he met and married Frances Ruge who was the administrative assistant to the Chair of the Analytical Chemistry Department. Returning to Wright-Patterson Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory in 1972, he served as the Air Force’s first Principal Engineer for Remotely Piloted and Autonomous Flight Vehicles, now called drones. In the fall of 1978, Tom was asked to come to Washington, D.C. to serve as the Deputy Technical Director and Deputy for Advanced Technology for the Joint Services Cruise Missiles Program Office. He retired from the Air Force the end of December 1985, as a Lieutenant Colonel, and spent the next 26 years serving as principal engineer for several different companies providing technical, managerial, and financial support to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Department of the Navy. Having developed an autoimmune disease, Myasthenia Gravis in 2008, Tom finally retired in 2011, at the age of 70. Since then, he continued living his life to the fullest with his love of learning, reading, music, art, museums, gourmet cooking, humor bringing laughter, the vast outdoors, traveling the United States, the Church and especially helping others. Tom was a member of Fairfax Presbyterian Church, was an ordained Elder and Deacon of two churches, enjoyed singing in their choirs as a soloist, ringing handbells, cooking for men’s breakfast and he was proud to help design the beautiful colorful stained glass windows of Kirkmont Presbyterian Church. He spent countless hours raising awareness of MG, formed a Tom’s Rockets - Blast Off For The Cure Team, raised over $120,000 specifically for research for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, loved leading MG support group meetings and gathering new members into the group, and looked forward to attending yearly MG meetings around the country renewing old friendships and making new ones. The biggest joy of Tom’s life was spending time with family and friends. Tom was a devoted and loving husband and father. He enjoyed quality time with his beloved family, including five fabulous grandchildren. In addition to his wife of over 51 years, Frances, Tom was extremely proud of his four children. He leaves son, Eric; daughters, Kristin, and Catherine (Will) Coley; and son, Brian (Abigail); grandchildren, Anna and Susan Larsen, Jackson and Caroline Coley, and Micah Larsen. Tom also leaves behind his brothers, Paul and Lowell; his sister, Margaret; and their families of numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by twin daughters, Heather and Heidi; and his parents, Hans and Frieda Lehmann Larsen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in Tom’s name designated for ‘Research Only’ to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, (MGFA) 290 Turnpike Road, Suite 5-315, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581. A Memorial service will be held at Fairfax Presbyterian Church at 10723 Main Street in Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday, March 16 at 11 am with a luncheon immediately following. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Please click the link below to read Tom’s impact with the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.