Dennis Larsen

Dennis Larsen went to be with the Lord on April 22, 2007. He was born December 2, 1942, in Los Angeles. He attended schools in Middletown, NY, and in San Diego, graduating from Fallbrook High School in 1960. He attended Palomar College, College of the Pacific in Stockton, Chapman College and the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Texas.

He also served in the US Navy from 1962 to 1984, serving aboard several destroyers and then as a nuclear reactor operator aboard the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. He also served as an electronics instructor on Treasure Island, CA, and with avionics departments on bases in Texas, Michigan and Minnesota, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.

After military retirement, Dennis taught computer and electronics courses at Brown Institute in Minneapolis and did electronic and computer repair work for First Rep of MN. In 1998 he and wife Kathleen returned to Fallbrook to assist her mother with health needs.

Dennis remained positive about life throughout his 21-year battle with multiple sclerosis, as well as his recent two-year fight with lymphoma, trusting in the Lord’s love and grace throughout. He enjoyed being part of the Neighborhood Church in Fallbrook and had been involved in churches wherever the family lived. He also actively supported Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Dennis’ great pleasure was riding trains, and after moving back to Fallbrook, he and his wife traveled cross-country several times a year, just seeing the scenery and meeting new people. His favorite trip was from Oceanside to Halifax, Nova Scotia, entirely by train. This past November’s trip to Chicago and Seattle was his final train ride.

Dennis was preceded in death by parents Marven and Dorothy Larsen and younger siblings Karen and Marven in 1955, by sister Cheryl Larsen Harder in 2003, by uncle and adoptive father Jack Hudson in 2001, by aunt and adoptive mother Virginia Hudson in 2006, by grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by Kathleen Frye Larsen, his wife of almost 45 years; son Brian Larsen, San Jose, CA; daughter Alicia Larsen and fiancé Don Smith and grandson Tyler Smith, all of Fallbrook; brother and sister-in-law Darayl and Sandra Larsen, WA; sister Penny Larsen Schenker, WY; 14 nieces and nephews; and several cousins.

Dennis’ body will be cremated and his ashes buried at Riverside National Cemetery. A memorial service is still to be scheduled.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Wycliffe Bible Translators (PO Box 628211, Orlando, FL 32862-8211), to The Neighborhood Church of San Diego County (PO Box 1822, Fallbrook, CA) or to Fallbrook Hospital’s Hospice Program.