Class: 1964
Major: Biology
Deceased: January 14, 2000
Alumni survivors: Ms. Judith I. Larsen ’64 W64 (Former Spouse)
The description of Bill from the University of Cincinnati’s Distinguished Lecture series brochure reads: “William J. Larsen, PhD was a gifted scientist, consistently producing research at the forefront of cell, developmental and reproductive biology.” Since Bill’s passing, each year the University has invited a developmental biologist to give a lecture on their research — to continue Bill’s legacy and to keep alive his excitement for research and learning. The roster has included two Nobel Prize winners to date.
However, in addition to his developmental biology research career, Bill also taught medical students, specializing in human embryology… and he took his teaching seriously. His sense of humor and legendary off-the-wall teaching models prompted one class to make a video of a skit with Bill demonstrating his models, sent on to the David Letterman show. (Apparently, descending bouncing-ball testes were a bit too far out for that venue.)
Bill was inspired by a special group of Carleton Profs. Acknowledgements in his Human Embryology text (the first to include experimental research, now in a 4th edition and translated into eight languages) included T.B. Thomas, Ross Shoger, Bill Muir, David Maitland, E. Scott Elledge, and Harriet Sheridan. When he died from colon cancer in 2000, he also had nearly completed an anatomy text for medical students.
To share his appreciation for the kindness and expert personal care he had experienced (often from former students) and his insights as a patient, he had prepared a lecture for the current medical student class to present his own case — discussing how to talk to patients and pointing out the diagnostic techniques used, including his own x-rays and experimental vaccine treatments.
Beyond science: Bill built three harpsichords and a forte-piano (used professionally by me for 20 years) and over 50 pieces of furniture with our son and daughter. He was also an incredible cook and “The Lab” was often invited to our home for dinner.
He collected Hopi and Zuni art and old maps. He also wrote a mystery novel set in Miami during Watergate that highlighted corruption in the scientific research community.
His enthusiasm was generally hard to resist. He even convinced one of his chemotherapy nurses to finally buy that ticket and travel to Europe. His secret, I believe, was honesty, a generosity that never stopped, true concern for others, and a great sense of humor.
Comments
The description of Bill from the University of Cincinnati's Distinguished Lecture series brochure reads: "William J. Larsen, PhD was a gifted scientist, consistently producing research at the forefront of cell, developmental and reproductive biology." Since Bill's passing, each year the University has invited a developmental biologist to give a lecture on their research -- to continue Bill's legacy and to keep alive his excitement for research and learning. The roster has included two Nobel Prize winners to date.
However, in addition to his developmental biology research career, Bill also taught medical students, specializing in human embryology... and he took his teaching seriously. His sense of humor and legendary off-the-wall teaching models prompted one class to make a video of a skit with Bill demonstrating his models, sent on to the David Letterman show. (Apparently, descending bouncing-ball testes were a bit too far out for that venue.)
Bill was inspired by a special group of Carleton Profs. Acknowledgements in his Human Embryology text (the first to include experimental research, now in a 4th edition and translated into eight languages) included T.B. Thomas, Ross Shoger, Bill Muir, David Maitland, E. Scott Elledge, and Harriet Sheridan. When he died from colon cancer in 2000, he also had nearly completed an anatomy text for medical students.
To share his appreciation for the kindness and expert personal care he had experienced (often from former students) and his insights as a patient, he had prepared a lecture for the current medical student class to present his own case -- discussing how to talk to patients and pointing out the diagnostic techniques used, including his own x-rays and experimental vaccine treatments.
Beyond science: Bill built three harpsichords and a forte-piano (used professionally by me for 20 years) and over 50 pieces of furniture with our son and daughter. He was also an incredible cook and "The Lab" was often invited to our home for dinner. He collected Hopi and Zuni art and old maps. He also wrote a mystery novel set in Miami during Watergate that highlighted corruption in the scientific research community.
His enthusiasm was generally hard to resist. He even convinced one of his chemotherapy nurses to finally buy that ticket and travel to Europe. His secret, I believe, was honesty, a generosity that never stopped, true concern for others, and a great sense of humor.