Dr. Richard J. Larsen

Dr. Richard J. Larsen     “beloved husband, father and grandfather”

COUDERSPORT, PA---Dr. Richard J. Larsen, 79, of Coudersport, PA, passed this life on Monday, April 22, 2013, following an enjoyable round of golf at the Coudersport Golf Club.  His only regret in life was that he missed his birdie putt on his final hole of golf.  However, he would have wanted it to be known to all his fellow golfers that he did make his par putt.
     Born the first baby of the New Year on January 1, 1934 in Muskegon, Michigan, he was the son of Dr. Emil C. Larsen and Dr. Kathryn Stevenson Larsen.  On October 30, 1965, at St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport, he married Mary Ann Halloran, who survives.
     Richard, known as Doc or Chum to all of his friends, was a 1951 graduate of Wellsville High School and a 1955 graduate of Alfred University.  After working as a chemist for General Electric, he decided to follow the career path taken by his parents and enrolled at The Palmer School of Chiropractic.  Richard worked for John Deere while in chiropractic school and he received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1960.  Richard practiced as a chiropractor for 48 years before passing his practice on to his son, Michael.  He truly enjoyed being a chiropractor and he loved both treating and visiting with his patients.  Patients were always reminded which of his eight children they were helping him to put through college.
     Richard was very generous with his family, friends and community.  Intelligent, fair, honest, and unabashed, Richard’s advice was sought by many.  He was politically active, and he served on a number of organizational boards, including Coudersport Public Library’s Board of Directors.  He enjoyed playing cards and reading.  He loved playing golf and was an avid Notre Dame fan.  After 25 years of persuasion from Monsignor W. R. Griffin, Richard joined the Roman Catholic faith.  Richard was a member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church, the Coudersport Golf Club, the Knights of Columbus and other community organizations.  Richard was also the official walker of the Larsen family dogs, Onyx, Nina and Stanley.
     Richard’s true passion and source of pride was his family.  In addition to his adoring wife, Mary, Richard is survived by eight loving children: Patrick (Karen) Larsen of Coudersport, Michael (Nicole) Larsen of Coudersport, Mary Kathryn (Robert Harby) Moscardelli of Fair Haven, NJ, Thomas (Heather) Larsen of Goshen, NY, Maureen Larsen of Seattle, WA, John (Amy) Larsen of Aspinwall, Kathleen Larsen of Seattle, WA, and Meghan (Timothy) Reidy of Mount Lebanon.  Richard is also survived by his grandchildren, Magdalen Larsen, Carly Larsen, Nicholas Moscardelli, Gabriella Moscardelli, Daniel Harby, Elizabeth Harby, Katherine Harby, Lucy Larsen, Charles Larsen, Andrew Larsen, Leah Larsen, Lilianna Larsen, and Ruth Reidy, all of whom knew Grampy was the easiest source of snacks, money or ice cream.  
     Richard was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Robert; and his sister, Jeanne; however, Richard leaves many other surviving family members, including two stepsisters; a stepbrother; many nieces and nephews; his sisters-in-law, Georgia Merrick and Corrine Larsen; and his brother-in-law, Jack Halloran.
     Richard passed on to the next life doing something he loved and without suffering or lengthy illness.  While he will be sadly missed by his family and friends, we are all grateful for the time that we spent with him and quite enriched by the wisdom and laughter that he shared with us.
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport.  Father James C. Campbell, pastor, and Father Joseph V. Dougherty, pastor of St. Bibiana’s Catholic Church, Galeton, will be concelebrants.  Burial will be in St. Eulalia Catholic Cemetery, Coudersport.
     Flowers are gratefully declined.  Memorials may be made to St. Eulalia Catholic Church, 6 East Maple Street, Coudersport, PA 16915; the Coudersport Public Library, 502 Park Avenue, Coudersport, PA 16915; or to the Coudersport Golf Club, PO Box 446, Coudersport, PA 16915.