Edgar Larsen

Edgar M. Larsen
1940-2014
Edgar Micael Larsen , age 74, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2014 following complications from surgery and Alzheimer's disease.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?"-Mary Oliver
Ed asked himself this question early in his life when he left Stanford Law school and got on a sailboat in the San Francisco harbor and spent the next two years sailing and exploring the world He sailed to Hawaii and onward to New Zealand and then hiked overland through China, India, Tibet and Eastern Europe, often bunking with Peace Corps volunteers along the way. He cut his journey short and returned to Illinois when ill with hepatitis and leg ulcers and needed months of recovery. This odyssey was a defining decision. Instead of the near and safe and more predictable choice, he opted for adventure, the unknown and the unexpected. He enjoyed his life immensely, enthusiastically loved his work, cherished his colleagues and friends, and mastered many skills. He was known for his wit and humor and famously augmented his speeches with hilarious cartoons; he played the piano at every occasion and in the last years of his life, while suffering from Alzheimer's, was able to attend a friend's party and lead the group in playing and singing "Happy Birthday."
He had a distinguished professional career that began in 1965 as an Analyst at Harris Associates in Chicago, Illinois where he worked on the Acorn Fund and ultimately became a Partner of that NYSE member firm. He then worked in London for the Continental Bank of Illinois as Director of Investments for Europe and the Middle East. He joined the Criterion Group in Houston, Texas in 1981 as a Portfolio Manager and Managing Director. Criterion became a public company, was acquired by Transamerica and ultimately, was purchased by the John Hancock Company. He joined AIM in 1996 as an equity fund manager, became Chief Equity Officer shortly thereafter, and then President and Chief Investment Officer in 2002 capping over forty years of investment management practice. He was a guest lecturer at the University Of Houston- Bauer School Of Business and the Rice University- Jones School of Business. He was also an active member of the Houston Angel Network and played a mentoring role with many young entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in the Houston region.
A native of Chicago, Ed received his B.A. in Economics with honors from Stanford University in 1962, and an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1968. He was a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the US and UK Analysts Societies. He was a frequent speaker at industry gatherings as well as an active participant on both television and the print news media. He was a featured guest on Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street Week as well as a frequent guest host and panelist on CNBC and Squawk Box, analyzing breaking news from financial markets.
An active philanthropist, Ed served on numerous boards contributing active management of endowment funds and financial advice; The Cultural Arts Council of Houston, Inprint which supports the Creative Writing Department of the University of Houston, The Finance Committee of The Menil Collection, the Mental Health Association and the University of Chicago all benefited from his skills and counsel. A proud graduate of the Booth School at the University of Chicago, Ed was an active fund raiser for student scholarships and endowed faculty chairs. His outstanding gifts to the University were recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University.
The love of adventure and being surprised by life was something Ed loved. While living in Europe he, his wife Stephanie and daughter Bryn sailed their own boat in the Greek Islands, Turkey, Rhodes, Corsica, Sardinia and the British Virgin Islands. In more recent years, while living in Texas, they sailed across the Gulf of Mexico several times exploring the Gulf Coast, Key West and the Dry Tortugas. An accomplished tennis player, skier and golf enthusiast, Ed spent many hours enjoying sport and the camaraderie of fellow players.
Ed is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Stephanie; his daughter, Bryn Kristin Larsen, his brother and sister-in-law George and Margaret Larsen; his sister, Kristin Louise Larsen; his niece Olivia Rose Larsen; his precious grandchildren, Natalie Catherine, Genevieve Esther and Tycho Edgar Larsen.
The family wants to express appreciation to Ricardo Ramirez, CNA and the staff at Autumn Leaves of Meyerland for their kind and loving care.
Friends are cordially invited for a gathering with the family and to share remembrances of Ed at four o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 20th of November, at the Bradshaw-Carter Home, 1734 W. Alabama Street in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Odyssey Scholarship Challenge (for low income students) at the University of Chicago, 5801 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637; or
The Campaign for The Menil, 1533 Sul Ross,
Houston, TX 77006.