Ralph G. Larson

Ralph G. Larson, 81, of Morrisville died very peacefully at his home on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019.

He was born in Chicago June 11, 1937, son of Ralph G. Larson and Eunice Von Hamberger Larson. He graduated from Barrington High School and attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor’s of science in geology and the nickname of “Nerd” from his Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

He joined the Navy and became a fighter pilot, flying A4s off the USS Constellation.

1965 was a big year for Ralph. He left the Navy, was hired as a pilot by Pan Am Airlines, and married Janet Kay Reeves, whom he had known since their college days. The couple moved to Stowe in 1971, from where he commuted to and from his Pan Am base at JFK Airport, and Janet began a long career at Stowe Elementary School.

Correctly predicting its demise, Ralph left the airline in 1990. He had ascended to the rank of 747 captain. Many of his pilot friends in the company took jobs with other mainstream airlines, but Ralph, in classic fashion, decided to take the road less traveled and ended up with such gigs as captaining the sole 747 of Tajikistan, and flying for Kabo Air in Nigeria, owned by an oil-rich tribal chief. But no matter who he was flying for, while at home in Vermont he was at his artistic best in the woods, logging and creating housing lots all over Lamoille County.

Survivors include his wife, Janet; his children, Reeves Larson of Morrisville and Susan Minneci of Park City, Utah; and his three grandchildren, Skylar and Sydney Larson of Vermont and Larson Minneci of Utah.

His parents died earlier, as did a brother, King, and sister, Justine.

There is much more to say and stories to tell (some of which are true), but they will be saved for a celebration of Ralph to be held sometime in early summer. The family deeply thanks all the dear friends, neighbors and care providers who helped the captain navigate his final adventure.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Ralph Larson may be made to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, 54 Farr Ave., Morrisville, VT 05661 (lhha.org).

Faith Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. To send online condolences: faithfh.net.