AzGT-Transmission-Line

CEO’s Message – July 2024

Remembering Gene Robert Larson

Gene Robert Larson

“Defending Your Life” is 1 of my favorite movies. The premise is when you die, you sit before a panel of judges as scenes from your life play out. You explain your choices as their consequences flicker before you on a big screen. The judges determine whether your life has been exemplary enough to move on to the next realm or if you must return to Earth to try again. The judges favor the bold and not the meek. The movie stars Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep.

I imagine our friend Gene Robert Larson sitting before the judges, watching scenes from his life. Given the philosophy portrayed in the movie, he definitely would move on. The highlight reel would include:

  • Managing farms when he was 11 while the farm owners and caretakers were fighting in World War II.
  • Figuring out how to build 1 good plane out of 2 scrapped ones and teaching himself to fly.
  • Becoming a Bolivian citizen so his company could do business there.
  • Using arms to protect his assets while in Bolivia.
  • Visiting a bank in Bisbee after being turned away at the border to secure $5,000 in “persuasion” so he could cross into Mexico and take his company’s equipment into the country for a job.
  • Being married to the love of his life for about 75 years.
  • Chairing the Graham County Planning and Zoning Board for 50 years.
  • Serving in leadership positions on the Graham County Electric Cooperative Board, the Arizona G&T Cooperatives Board, and the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association Board.
  • Exhibiting a sharp wit, keen intelligence, great wisdom, and warm friendship for 94 years.

Gene Robert died in early June. 1 of his last trips was in March to Mexico, where he went deep-sea fishing. He attended my board meeting in April. He survived 2 bouts with COVID-19. He was attentive and participative in meetings. While his voice had grown soft with age, his words were always important to hear. He stood upright. His gait had slowed but was unassisted.

I count myself very fortunate to have known such a remarkable man. They don’t make them like Gene Robert anymore.

Dave Lock
CEO