Robert Alan Larsen

Born September 2, 1943, in Willmar, Minnesota, Rob was the only child of the late Robert Arthur Larsen and Myrtle Marie Louise Hesse Larsen. He grew up in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, and graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1961. He went on to earn a B.S. degree from the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy in 1965, beginning a distinguished military and aviation career.

Rob proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he flew F-4 Phantom II aircraft in Vietnam. His service included assignments at Indian Springs Auxiliary Field in Nevada, the U.S. Air Force Special Weapons Center in New Mexico, and as an aide to the Commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Rob served at Travis Air Force Base as a C-141 pilot and eventually squadron commander. He attended the USAF Air War College and later served as Director of the Mobility Forces Division in the Pentagon. From 1985 to 1986, he was Vice Commander of the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base. He earned his MBA at Southern Illinois University in 1986.

Following his distinguished military service, Rob continued his aviation career as a Production Test and Training Pilot for Douglas Aircraft, an MD-11 Captain with China Airlines, and an MD-11 First Officer and DC-10 Flight Engineer with FedEx Express until his retirement in 2009.

Rob is survived by his wife, Teresa Rainer Larsen; his daughters Dana Houghton (Gary) and Erin Fuller; his step-sons Jerry Rainer (Karen), Todd Rainer (Azi), and Josh Rainer (Melissa). A proud grandfather, he leaves behind Sean Houghton (Mackenzii), Adam Houghton (Hadleigh), Kaitlin Schueller (Ben), Cody and Josh Fuller, Eden, Kylie, Emmy, and Holly Rainer, as well as two great-grandchildren, Beau Houghton and Ellie Jane Houghton.

Services and burial will be held at 1 p.m. on August 27, 2025, at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Flowers may be sent to Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rob’s honor to Tunica Humane Society (Tunica, Mississippi), MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas), Samaritan’s Purse, or Southeast Christian Church (Indiana Campus).

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Faith Baptist Church, 3755 North Germantown Road, Memphis, TN.

Rob lived a life of service, adventure, and love, and though his journey on Earth has ended, the skies are forever his.