Death date: Jun 30, 2018
William Paul Larsen (Bill) passed away in Gainesville this Saturday, June 30 at the age of 78. Bill was born and raised in Chicago and grew up to become the quintessential lifelong learner. He earned a Masters of Library Science Read Obituary
From the very first day Bill joined ADAPTABLE he was a valuable part of the team. I immediately felt a closeness to Bill. My heart is broken and I will miss him very much.
Linda Brown
As others at the Great Books group have noted,
Bill was witty, civil, skillful, warm, attentive, personable,
intelligent, kind, and devoted. He was also pretty good
at math and especially good at expressing subtle sources
of complexity in many of the works we dealt with.
He will be missed
Arnie and Nancy Lapidus
I stopped at the Millhopper Library yesterday, immediately remembering that my friend Bill Larsen will not be smiling his usual greeting to me there again. It feels so very strange that such a caring, loving, sensitive being is no longer with us.
From the first time he entered the long-established Great Books Club, we became close and confidential friends. At that time many of us bookies met not only for discussions, but also for simple card games and lots of laughs. Betty Ruston and I often alternated with others to host these games. Bill also visited my river house of one card event. Bill also hosted us at his Micanopy home as well as his lovely home in Gainesville.
We took walks to prolong our confidential talks about life and love, family, health, and friends. He often talked of his much-loved daughter Winnie, and of his son for whom he cared greatly. I knew I could trust this sensitive man who always seemed to be in good cheer. Without hesitation, Bill would lend me his Great Book for an eminent reading for which I had not prepared.
What a good friend. Although I knew of his health problems, I was not prepared for his death.
It seems impossible that I can enter a Great Books discussion in the Millhopper Library and my good friend Bill will not be there. My body aches at the thought.
Virginia Seacrist
I'm terribly saddened by the sudden loss of our friend Bill. I met Bill through "Great Books" several years ago and have enjoyed his wit, his insights, and his passion for learning. Besides being a friend and a scholar, he was above all, truly, a gentle man. I will miss you Bill. Greg Mullaley
Though I just got to know Bill through the Aspirin Study on the ADAPTABLE project and got to meet him in person in New Orleans, he made such a positive impression on me. He was so thoughtful, kind-hearted, quick-witted and so impressed me with his intellect and curiosity. I learned a great deal about the trial we are apart of from him and will so miss him every other week on the calls we have together. My thoughts are with his family and Barbara who I also got to meet in New Orleans. A really great one... gone too soon. May the positive memories of a life well-lived comfort all of you during this difficult time.
Although I worked with Bill only a short time, he made quite an impression on me. His thoroughness, his insight and his excitement about research will be missed by everyone who worked with him.
Bill Larsen, you were sorely missed today at our weekly ADAPTABLE call. We were all waiting for you to chime in and ask what could we do differently to get people interested in participating!!! It is amazing how people come into your life and make a hugh impact when you lease expect it...... The number of people in the research community who were touched by your eloquent comments, and thoughtful observations is remarkable for this being such a new activity in your life. We are all the richer for knowing you......
