Ralph S. Larsen

Ralph S. Larsen

Naples, FL

Ralph Larsen, a great husband, father, friend and former Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson, died on March 9th, 2016, after suffering a massive heart attack while exercising in the pool at his home in Naples, FL.

Ralph served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Johnson and Johnson from 1989 until his retirement in 2002. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Xerox, AT&T, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and General Electric where he was the lead director until 2014.

He was born in Brooklyn NY on November 19, 1938. He graduated from West Hempstead High School, and joined the US Navy from 1956-1958. He studied business administration at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY where he received a Bachelor's Degree in 1962.

Ralph will be remembered for his deep love for his family, adoration of his wife Dorothy, and unshakable faith in the Lord. Ralph was a man of great character, integrity, wisdom, and generosity.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy; and three children, Karen Verblaauw of Kinnelon, NJ, Kristen Dries of Skillman, NJ, and Garret Larsen of Livingston, Texas, as well as seven grandchildren.

A visitation will be held for friends and family who live in Florida at Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road, Naples on Sunday, March 13th from 2:00-4:00 pm with closing celebratory remarks from the family at 3:45 PM

A memorial service will be held in July in Speculator, NY for friends and family in the Northeast.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ralph Larsen to Camp-of-the-Woods, 106 Downey Road, Speculator, NY 12164. He was passionate about the impact that Camp-of-the-Woods has had on his family and thousands of others. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.fullernaples.com.