Arne L. Larson

Arne L. Larson, 81, of Toledo, OH passed away at the Kingston Residence of Sylvania with Nancy Larson by his side on Monday, November 17, 2025. He was born on March 28, 1944, in Concordia, Kansas to Arne E. and Mary Margaret (Downs) Larson and was fondly known as “Larry” during his childhood years in Billings, Montana and Harrington Park, New Jersey.

Arne graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, New Jersey in 1962 and attended Carnegie Mellon University to study architecture. Arne enlisted in the United States Army and spent his time at Fort Greely, Alaska. This became the backdrop for many stories he shared over the years. After his tour of duty he returned to Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with a Masters Degree in Architecture in 1971.

Arne greatly enjoyed architecture, in both teaching and practice. He taught at Carnegie Mellon becoming the Assistant Head of the Department of Architecture from 1978 to 1981. While teaching, Arne took graduate courses in scenic design in the Drama Department. It was while designing a production for Duquesne University that he met his last wife, Nancy. They married in 1987, and the family moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1990 when Arne was recruited by SSOE Inc., an international architecture and engineering firm. Arne’s work and leadership was widely recognized by his peers; he was named the President of the Toledo Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 2007 and the Toledo Architect of the Year in 2009. Arne’s work with SSOE was global in reach; he was lead architect in the firm’s successful bid for an automotive research and development campus in China. SSOE’s first place award in this competition led to the opening of the firm’s Shanghai, China office. He retired from SSOE after many years of fruitful employment with the firm.

Arne loved to read. He shared this love with his daughter, Emily, and introduced her and many others to great books. He loved to ride his bike and would often head out with his son, Matias, to enjoy the University Trail. He attended many cross country events and varied theatrical/musical performances that the kids were involved in over the years. Together, the family attended a performance of Les Miz in Toronto that became the all time family favorite.

Arne had a real talent for storytelling and made friends wherever he went. His warm, engaging manner attracted young and old admirers. He regaled his relatives at every family reunion with accounts of his own adventures and memories of family vacations and special occasions. He was headliner entertainment and loved for it.

Arne was pre-deceased by his sister Mary Lynne Cleverdon of Springfield, IL who passed away in 2024. He is survived by his daughter Emily of Boston, son Matias (with partner Tonie Vita ) of Bremen, ME, as well as two sisters and a brother, Kristen Larson (Chuck) Carlson of Peterborough, NH, Timothy Larson (Sandy) of Colorado Springs, CO and Elise Larson (Scott) Sprague of Penfield, IL , and extended family across the country.

Family and friends are warmly invited to Arne’s memorial service on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:00 am at United Church of Christ, 7240 Erie Street, Sylvania, OH 43560. There will be a luncheon immediately following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders or Habitat for Humanity.

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