David M Larson

University of Minnesota regent David Larson died in October 2014. The retired Cargill executive from Wayzata was in his second six-year term, having first been named regent in 2005. Larson was also a trustee of the University of Minnesota Foundation for 12 years. Larson, who received a bachelor’s in political science at the U, was concerned about the rising cost of college for middle-class families. To address that, he donated $5 million to endow a scholarship at the U. The endowment, which has since grown to $15 million, has benefitted 350 students known as “Larson Scholars.” Elected executive vice president of Cargill in 1999, Larson became known for his advocacy of corporate branding, quality and employee engagement and recognition.After 44 years, Larson retired from Cargill in 2010 - he joined the firm as a trainee in 1966. He lived in Wayzata, Minn. Larson is survived by his wife Janis, children David Lance (Leawood, Kan.) and Reid (Plymouth, Minn.), a granddaughter, sister Sandra Swartzmiller (Kalamazoo, Mich.); brother Paul W. Larson (Chicago, Ill.), nieces Nicole and Melissa, and nephews Stefan and Chris. Larson was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Marvin (Marv) Larson.