My dad began his career as a woodworker, a talent that earned him a feature in the Register-Mail. He had a remarkable gift for carving, especially wildlife—birds, in particular. Over time, he transitioned to working with resin, casting his sculptures to streamline the process while still honoring the detail and character of each piece. One of his favorite traditions was creating a new St. Nicholas sculpture every year, just in time for the holidays. I can still picture my grandma, Betty Larson, proudly displaying each edition as part of her Christmas decorations.
Eventually, he found his true passion in welded steel sculpture. It was a natural evolution of his craft, sparked in part by the influence of Jimmie Crown, whose creativity inspired so many in the Galesburg art community.
Some of my favorite memories from childhood were weekends spent traveling with my dad to art shows. We’d pack the van on Friday and hit the road, visiting fairs all over the Midwest—and sometimes as far as the East Coast (though I usually had to miss those trips for school). I loved those weekends. I’d sit up front with the map while he drove, and we’d make the journey part of the adventure, creating memories that still mean a lot to me today.
Over the years, my dad’s sculptures found homes in churches, businesses, and private collections across the country. One especially proud moment was when he was commissioned to create the Mother Goose sculpture for the Galesburg Public Library. He was thrilled. It meant so much to him to have his work displayed in a space that had long been special to our family. The idea that generations of visitors would see and enjoy his sculpture filled him with pride.
The library played a big role in our lives growing up. My dad often visited in search of visual inspiration for his work, while my brother and I spent time in the children’s section. I have vivid memories of the birds in their big cages, adding their own bit of color and life to the space.
My dad's art lives on—not just in steel and sculpture, but in the places, people, and memories he touched along the way.
