Brian Allen Larkins

Brian Allen Larkins passed away peacefully at his home in Tucson, Arizona on January 19, 2025, with his wife and family nearby. Brian was born in Bellville, KS to Jean and Ethel Larkins on August 12, 1946. He grew up on a small farm east of Chester, Nebraska where he attended public school through his junior year. He was distinguished by his diminutive size and limited spelling ability, both of which he overcame to become wildly successful in both his personal and professional life. His early years of working tirelessly on his family’s farm instilled in him a tremendous work ethic that remained throughout his life.

Brian graduated from high school in York, Nebraska in 1964 and enrolled at the University of Nebraska, majoring in biology. His freshman year, he was inspired by his botany professor, Dr. John Davidson, to pursue a PhD degree in botany, which he began after a challenging year teaching high school biology in Wavery, Nebraska. Brian received a PhD in botany from the University of Nebraska in 1974. His dissertation research developed a technique for isolating messenger RNAs (mRNAs) from plant and animal cells. Brian moved to Purdue University in 1975 for postdoctoral research, where his work led to the isolation and characterization of mRNAs encoding zeins, the major seed storage protein in maize. This led to the characterization of zein genes and other research that helped launch the field of plant molecular genetics and its application to agricultural crop improvement. Over his career, Dr. Larkins investigated mutations that affect development of the maize seed and influence its nutritional quality. Mentorship of his students and research associates resulted in more than 300 publications and 20,000 research citations.

Brian served his profession in a variety of leadership roles. He was Head of the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Arizona from1988-1994, where he helped create an internationally recognized academic unit. He served as Associate Editor and then Editor-in-Chief of The Plant Cell (1989-1998), and as President of the International Society of Plant Molecular Biology (1991) and President of the American Society of Plant Physiologists (1999). After his retirement from the University of Arizona, he served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Life Sciences at the University of Nebraska (2012-2017), where he contributed to development of an interdisciplinary PhD in computational biology. His leadership roles and research publications resulted in many recognitions, including endowed professorships: the Hovde Distinguished Professor at Purdue University, Porterfield and Regents Professor at the University of Arizona, and the John Davidson and Marian Fuller Presidential Chair at the University of Nebraska. In 1996, he was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences, one of the most prestigious recognitions a scientist can receive. Brian received multiple research awards from the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), including the Charles A. Shull award for research innovation by a scientist under 40 years of age, the Stephen Hales Prize for career-long contributions to plant science, and the Charles Reid Barnes Life Membership Award.

In retirement, Brian remained an ardent supporter of the ASPB by dedicating countless hours to establishing and becoming a founding member of the Legacy Society and Pioneer Society. His efforts have yielded over $3 million of donated funds that will ensure the health and longevity of the Society and nurture future generations of plant biologists.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Brian was a loyal and loving husband and a dedicated, father, stepfather, and “papa.” He was passionate about education and promoting a love of learning in others. He enjoyed cycling, playing golf, reading, listening to classical music, and supporting his beloved Nebraska Huskers. Brian will long be remembered for his kindness and inclusion of others, his generosity and philanthropy, and leaving the world a better place.

Brian is survived by his wife Ardie Larkins, sons Aaron and Philip Larkins of Tucson, AZ, stepdaughters Julie (Tim) Thompson of Carlsbad, CA, Sandy (John) Stribling of Tucson, AZ, Kelly Delforge of Phoenix, AZ, and his siblings: Rodney (Judy) Larkins of Hudson, WI, Sally Beuhler of Chelsea, MI, Andrea (Keith) Tyler of Overland Park, KS, Gerald Blake Larkins of Diller, NE, and Casey Larkins of Lincoln, NE. He was preceded in death by his first wife Pamela Jo (Ramsey) Larkins, and brother Curtiss Larkins.

A Celebration of Life will be help on Sunday, March 9, 2025; 11:00 AM at Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St., Tucson, AZ 85719. Reception to immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his honor to the Pamela and Brian Larkins Family Scholarship/Fellowship Fund at the University of Nebraska, which provides tuition for students in the fields of education or human sciences (https://nufoundation.org/fund/01058100/), or an organization of your choice.