Former York College president dies at 92
YORK, Neb. — Dale R. Larsen, who served as president of York College from 1960 to 1978, died Dec. 29. He was 92.
After retiring as York’s longest-tenured president, Larsen served for three decades as the Christian college’s chancellor.
“He was a man of great honor and integrity,” York President Steve Eckman said. “Without his contributions of time, effort and wisdom in the early years, York College would not exist today.”
In October 2009, York dedicated the Larsen Commons to honor Dale and Raylene Larsen for their lifetime of service to the college.
After growing up in Albion, Neb., Dale Larsen enrolled at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible and English and met Raylene, his wife for 65 years.
Their life together took them to New York City, where he preached and earned his master’s degree in education.
Upon returning to Nebraska in the 1950s, he was instrumental in opening York. After retiring to Brandon, Fla., he served as a church elder, teacher and pulpit minister for 30 years.
“Dr. Dale Larsen was the standard of excellence for York College presidents who would be fortunate enough to follow his markings along the path of Christian education,” said Wayne Baker, York’s chancellor and former president.
York alumnus Dennis Cady of Wichita Falls, Texas, was one of hundreds of students influenced by Larsen.
“He was so humble and took a genuine interest in me and others,” Cady said. “I was no one special, but he made me feel special. He led by example.
“For a long time I struggled with how to address him. Mr. was too ordinary. Dr. was too formal. I certainly wasn’t going to call him Dale. To me he was always brother Larsen. That is the nearest and dearest term I know for him.”
Besides his wife, survivors include his daughter, Aloha Humphrey; his son, Zayne Larsen; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
After retiring as York’s longest-tenured president, Larsen served for three decades as the Christian college’s chancellor.
“He was a man of great honor and integrity,” York President Steve Eckman said. “Without his contributions of time, effort and wisdom in the early years, York College would not exist today.”
In October 2009, York dedicated the Larsen Commons to honor Dale and Raylene Larsen for their lifetime of service to the college.
After growing up in Albion, Neb., Dale Larsen enrolled at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible and English and met Raylene, his wife for 65 years.
Their life together took them to New York City, where he preached and earned his master’s degree in education.
Upon returning to Nebraska in the 1950s, he was instrumental in opening York. After retiring to Brandon, Fla., he served as a church elder, teacher and pulpit minister for 30 years.
“Dr. Dale Larsen was the standard of excellence for York College presidents who would be fortunate enough to follow his markings along the path of Christian education,” said Wayne Baker, York’s chancellor and former president.
York alumnus Dennis Cady of Wichita Falls, Texas, was one of hundreds of students influenced by Larsen.
“He was so humble and took a genuine interest in me and others,” Cady said. “I was no one special, but he made me feel special. He led by example.
“For a long time I struggled with how to address him. Mr. was too ordinary. Dr. was too formal. I certainly wasn’t going to call him Dale. To me he was always brother Larsen. That is the nearest and dearest term I know for him.”
Besides his wife, survivors include his daughter, Aloha Humphrey; his son, Zayne Larsen; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
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