Richard Larson

MONTICELLO - Richard Allen Larson, 81, Monticello passed away Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at home after a long illness.

He was born July 9, 1941, in Minot, N.D., to LeRoy and Phyllis (Brisson) Larson. They preceded him in death, as did his brother, David Larson, and sister, Kathleen (Samuel Brill).

He married Margaret Johnson on March 23, 1963. She survives, as do two children, Melina Claire (Darren Cokin) of Santa Monica, Calif., and Erik Russell (Beth Greider) of Rantoul. Also surviving is his stepgrandaughter, Tyra Watts of Rantoul.

Rick attended Minot State University for two years, then received his B.A. in 1963 at the University of Minnesota. While attending U of M, he met Margaret on a blind date. After they married, they moved to Champaign, where he obtained his organic chemistry Ph.D. in 1968 from the University of Illinois. They then moved to the United Kingdom, where Rick had postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Liverpool and Cambridge University. Daughter Melina was born there. They then had stays in Texas and Pennsylvania (where son Erik came along), before returning to the University of Illinois as a professor in 1979. There, he taught environmental science and environmental chemistry.

He was the author or co-author of over 100 reviewed scientific papers, of which his most cited was "Antioxidants of Higher Plants" (1988). He was the author of the book "Naturally Occurring Antioxidants," co-author of the book "Reaction Mechanisms in Environmental Organic Chemistry" and editor of the book "Biohazards of Drinking Water Treatment." 

He also wrote a spoof of get-rich-quick ideas, "Megamoney," and a novel,"Degrees of Freedom."

Rick was a longtime member of Heimskringla, the Scandinavian culture society at the UI. He was passionate about the arts, especially cinema, and always had a quotation from literature or poetry for every occasion. He also enjoyed woodworking and built many items of furniture, which are treasured by those lucky enough to have been given one.

Memorial contributions can be made to Eastern Illinois Foodbank.