Sigma Signs 1989

Joseph R. Larsen 1928-1989 I TEACH ME TO DIE Sunlight filters through my window. Falling from the sky. I Time slips like a silent stranger Softly passing by. Life goes on in busy circles. Leaving me behind. Memories, like portraits. Fill the attic of my mind. Teach me to die. Hold onto my hand. I have so many questions. Things I dont understand. Teach me to die. Give all you can give. If youll teach me of dying. I will teach you to live! I know that it isnt easy Seeing me this way. And it hurts to watch me Lying here day after day. Trade your fear of parting For the faith that knows no pain. Don't be afraid to say goodbye! I know well meet again! 1988 Rock Canyon Music Publishers This poem was used by Professor Larsen m his presentation to Beckw ith .Xidcs entitled "Death and Dying" MemoriaCto a friend He was a dreamer who knew how • Started the only job placement 1958. to make the dreams come true. conference of its kind for college students Professor Larsen was employed He was a fighter who knew how to with disabilities. Attendance at the confer- by the Army, the University of Utah, Johns make the enemy feel they had won. ence grew from 65 in the first year to 204 in Hopkins University, the University of He was gentle but tough. the third year. Pennsylvania and the University of Wyo- He was a great success at all he • Identified funding sources to ming before coming to the University of undertook . husband, father, grandfather, provide more scholarships for students with Illinois as an assistant professor of Ento- scholar, researcher, author, administrator, disabilities. In cooperation with University mology in 1 963 . He was named professor of church leader. of Illinois colleges, alumni and other Entomology at the University in 1 968; head He was respected and loved. sources, the Division gave 20 scholarships of the Department of Entomology in 1970; He was Joseph R. Larsen. in the fall of 1988. Director of the University School of Life • Joe Larsen died February 17, Developed a cooperative pro- Sciences in 1 973; and Director of the Divi- 1989. gram with the College of Engineering and sion of Rehabilitation Education in 1985. Those of us who have worked with hired the Division's first rehabilitation During his career. Professor Professor Larsen for the past three and one- engineer. Larsen was a member of many organiza- half years in the Division of Rehabilitation, • Hired the Division's first hous- tions and societies and served on many have experienced a loss so great that words ing specialist who is working with other University, state and national committees cannot describe it. University experts to develop better and and boards. He was given the first honorary Following the pioneering and more accessible housing for the disabled membership to The Association for Biology internationally known work of Timothy and the elderly. Laboratory Education in 1986. He was Nugent, Professor Larsen came to the Divi- • Developed a new testing labora- appointed by Illinois Governor Thompson sion of Rehabilitation Education in 1985 tory in the Division which serves students to serve as a member of the Rehabilitation with plans and dreams that would maintain and state residents and provides training to Services Advisory Committee in 1980 and and build on the programs and services students enrolled in the graduate program. reappointed to a six-year term in 1984. In offered to college students with disabilities. • Reinstated the drivers training 1987, he was inducted into the National Several individuals in the Division program for students with disabilities by Hall of Fame for Persons with Disabilities. had taught University courses over the obtaining a van equipped with zero-resis- During his career. Professor years, but the University had never offered tance driving equipment. Larsen was in great demand as a speaker. a masters degree in rehabilitation. With • Installed himself as the advisor During the past six years, he gave guest great vision and sheer determination. Pro- to Delta Sigma Omicron, the disabled stu- seminars at the University of Minnesota, fessor Larsen put into work a plan to estab- dents service fraternity. Southern Illinois University, University of lish such a degree program. And, after many • Worked tirelessly in communi- Iowa, Brigham Young University, Bowling setbacks and disappointments, the program cating with alumni and others who can Green State University, Utah State Univer- officially enrolled its first students in the fall provide help to our program. Travelled to sity, London School of Tropical Medicine of 1988. Boy, did we celebrate. many parts of the country, participating in and Hygiene, University of Edinburgh, Now, the leading service program conferences, seminars and workshops to University of Lund, Max Planck Institute. in the country for college students with tell the story of the Division. Seeweesen, Germany, and was an invited disabilities is made even stronger by offer- • Directed the production of many participant at the XVII International Con- ing an advanced degree. Our research new Division informational materials, in- gress of Entomology, Hamburg, Germany. showed a severe shortage of properly cluding brochures, videotapes, a weekly Professor Larsen also had a great trained rehabilitation professionals to work radio program, television presentations and interest in the theatre. He produced and with the more than 37-million persons with newspaper and magazine articles. directed a number of major theatrical pro- disabilities in this country. This great Uni- Professor Larsen brought to the ductions, including "Fiddler on the Roof," versity is now continuing its leadership in Division of Rehabilitation Education an "Saturday's Warrior," "Promised Valley." serving disabled populations thanks to the international reputation as a scientist and an and "Because of Elizabeth" at the dedica- vision and persistence of Professor Larsen. advocate for persons with disabilities. tion of Nauvoo, Illinois, 1978. Most of you have been informed He received an honorable dis- Professor Larsen dedicated his life of the many new and innovative programs charge from the United States Army in to working for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Division has begun in the past three 1948, following four years of service. He Latter-Day Saints. He was the guiding force years. But, as a reminder, I will highlight the earned two degrees in zoology from the in the building of a new church in Cham- work of Professor Larsen and the Division University of Utah and a Sc.D. in physiol- paign in the early 1980s and he served the staff. ogy from Johns Hopkins University in church as Bishop for a number of years. He was a devoted family man and leaves wife Shauna, three daughters, Pamela, Deborah, and Jennifer and 13 Scholarships to Honor grandchildren. It is always difficult to say a final Professor Larsen goodbye to a friend and respected col- To honor the memory of former director Joe Larseo. league. It is especially difficult to say good- qualified University of Illinois students with disabilities will bye to a man who has made such a differ- receive scholarships in his name. ence in the lives of so many people. "Joseph R. Larsen Rehabilitation Scholarships'' will be The staff of the Division of Reha- given annually to students selected by the Division of Rehabili- bilitation Education pledge to you that the tation Education Scholarship Committee. Money for the schol- programs and services started by Tim arships has been donated by alumni, friends and the family of Nugent, and continued and built upon by Joe Larsen. Joe Larsen. will remain and continue to Larsen. who had been director of the Division since 1985. grow. As we move now to the next genera- died February 1 7. 1989. at the age of 61 tion of leadership, we ask for your help and The Larsen scholarships are included in a group of more support as the University of Illinois Divi- than 20 scholarships which are given each year to University sion of Rehabilitation Education continues of Illinois students with disabilities. Other scholarship money to serve future generations of college stu- comes from colleges within the University, foundations and dents with disabilities. individuals. Rest well, Joe. You deserve it. Written by Tom Jones Professor Larsen was thrilled when the University s Graduate Program in R«habiMation rsoeivsd tmai afiproval. Sigma Signs 1989 Published by Delta Sigma Omicron, Alpha Chapter In Cooperation With Delta Sigma Omicron, Inc. at The University of Illinois Rehabilitation Education Center Address: Room 136 Rehabilitation Education Center 1207 South Oak Street Champaign, Illinois 61820 Letter from the Acting Director Dear Alumni and Friends. It was with feelini^s of deep sadness at the death of Professor Joseph R Larsen. the responsibility maintain- second director ofthe Division ofRehabilitation , and ofkeen for ing the directions and momentum in research, teaching and service that he inspired, that I took the position exacting director in March. One of the most important tasks for the College ofApplied Life Studies during the next fen- months] will be to searchfor a new director ofthe Division, one who will combine the commitments to scholarship and to servicer which are essential to pursuit of the Division's mission. I hope a new director will be appointed about I January 1990. As Professor Larsen wrote in his letter last year, there will be changes . some that bring moments ofsadness and some^ that bring achievement, and this year has been no exception. An important achievement has been the successful completion of the fir.st M.S. degree in Rehabilitation by Kristin Jirik Sorenson. Kristin will graduate in May and has already taken up a position in vocational rehabilitation in Minnesota.

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