In Memory

Randy Larson

This life summary was given to us by Randy's good friend Bill James

Randy Larson (August 8, 1945 - May 14, 2020)   Randy was on the varsity basketball and tennis teams, was in the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation, and graduated near the top of his class at El Camino High School in 1962.  He graduated from Stanford University in 1966, and served in the U.S. Army from 1970 - 1974 (spending part of his time playing basketball for the 4th Army team). 

He spent most of the 1980s and 1990s living in Manhattan Beach, California, where he was employed by the US Postal Service  He used that job to keep in shape for basketball, often almost running his mail route.  After his retirement from the Postal Service, Randy began living most of each year in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, returning to California during the summers, often just before Memorial Day so that he could work as a bartender at the Jazz Jubilee in Sacramento.

Randy was liked by all and left a long list of friends behind feeling that he has left us far too soon.  He was a very good basketball player, a hack golfer, and a world class drinker and partier.  He was one of those rare people who could honestly see the good in almost everyone he met and rarely met anybody that he didn't like, or that didn't like him.  He was loved and will be missed.    



 
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06/02/20 11:30 AM #1    

Susan Yeates (O'Farrell)

Bill did a wonderful job summarizing Randy's colorful life, but I wanted to add a few words.  While friends since the 8th grade, Randy and I weren't close until recently.  Following the 55th reunion I started making frequent trips to Puerto Vallarta, and he would drive up from San Diego during the summers. He was always fun to be around, and since his hard partying days were behind him, I could finally keep up!  We had many good times these past few years, and I am so sorry that we have all lost that bright spirit so soon.  I've added a few new photos to my profile this morning, that I think would make him smile.  R.I.P. dear Randy.

 


06/06/20 01:09 AM #2    

Richard Davis

     This is a tough one.  He was my neighbor in Arden Park.  I'd walk across the field and we'd play ball in his driveway.  They'd moved here from Dekalb Illinois and even though he'd skipped a grade he fit right in.  Probably because of what everyone is saying.  His sister was much older and his parents were older too.  They treated me like royal.  They wanted him to have friends.  
     Alright, let's cut the ___.  Marie D'Annibale, Byron Kepford and Randy Larson read a lot....because it made them smart(?)   No, because they wanted to know stuff.  They wanted to figure things out.


06/07/20 11:29 AM #3    

Kathleen Harris (Kelly)

The last time I saw Randy was probably in the 80s.  Even so, he kept my name on his Christmas card list and I always looked forward to receiving his newsy note, mostly about travel, books and booze.  He was a sweet guy and I will miss his warm holiday greeting.


06/08/20 10:25 PM #4    

Stephen Frantz

The thing I prized most about Randy was his nearly scandalous level of self-acceptance.  Certifiably a genius (I’m no dummy but I called him regularly for help with algebra 2), he made no apologies for building a post-Stanford lifestyle around beaches, basketball, detective novels (the well-written ones), bibulous card games with friends, and—how should we say it?--genteel and inquisitive sloth.  He dug people.  He scorned elitists.  He didn’t take life especially seriously.  He was probably a Zen master who managed to conceal his spiritual elevation from all of us who mistakenly thought we knew him. 


06/09/20 12:39 PM #5    

Kingsley Lunden

Of our entire class, I had possibly the unique experience of sitting behind Randy for four straight years -  in our XL math class. Everyone who knew Randy knew how self-assured he was. It was no different in math class. I was a good student, but I never could be compared with Randy. He seemed to master the concepts with an easy grace, while I sometimes struggled with the arcana, particularly of calculus. Things were always so easy for him that maybe he didn’t always take them seriously. But, to me he was a wonder of talent.

As I remember, he and Bill James enjoyed the challenges of gambling. Once they invited me to an evening of poker, where they took advantage of my naiveite.  I think I may have lost $5 that night, to the horror, as I recall, of the mother of one of the two. I was too easy – not enough of a challenge to be invited for a second time.

He used to use the expressions, “Ching Tai and Ding Hao” I never knew if there were translations, or if they were just his inventions.

In my senior yearbook he wrote. “I’ve has a blast sitting in front of you and cheating like hell.” I don’t think he ever really needed to.  Maybe he just enjoyed the challenge. I think he knew how much I valued our relationship.  He ended his inscription with this, “…remember me when you sit behind some slob in math next year.”  I surely did!


06/09/20 05:37 PM #6    

Julie Pardee (Seneker)

Randy was one of those people that you never forget.  He was a big presence in so many of our lives during those high school years.  I was deeply moved to hear of his passing and will hang on to all the good memories.


06/10/20 04:28 PM #7    

Mary Schuler (Schrouder)

Most importantly, I send my heartfelt condolences to Bill James. Randy Larson and Bill certainly had an endearing life-long friendship. What a significant loss.

I did not know Randy at El Camino, although I definitely knew of him. He was of another world, out of my league and so much in his element. Following an early class reunion, Randy and I developed a friendship that lasted a few years. As Susan Yeates O’Farrell described him, he was a “bright spirit.” So very true. He had an essence that overlaid an attitude of life that was remarkable in many ways. Part of that essence was his oh so very charming self….AND he was such a handsome man.

Many people will miss and mourn Randy Larson for many different reasons for many years to come.


06/11/20 04:52 PM #8    

Frederick Vail

Greetings classmates, near and far. Like so many of the posts I've read regarding the passing of Randy and Carole--and the impact they had on our lives before, during or after ECHS, their greatest--and last--gift is that we all remember them with such fondness. We remember the indelible  mark they left on us. We cherish those memories and we now pray for them and their families and extended families. Oddly, when I think of Randy, I think of him the way he was back iwhen we ran into each other in the hallways or when I saw him on the basketball court in the Boy's Gym. It was always Randy's sportsmanship that I remember most. I had no idea he was such an accomplished student. I certainly did not know he graduated from Stanford. My family has gone there since 1899--four generations, including my Father and Uncle. I was NEVER Stanford material. I knew that early on:) As to Carole, it was ithe connection we had to Mr. Teal and Drama--class plays and other such endeavors. I've said it before: "It's not the aches and pains of growing old--not the dimished eyesight or hearing--that hurt me the most. It's saying "good-bye" to all those who we grew up with, Who nurtured us--be it parents, family, teachers or friends. Our lives are all richer because of Randy and Carole. RIP.


06/12/20 01:52 PM #9    

Mary Hilkerbaumer (Handy)

Okay, here is my favorite memory of Randy.  Around  ninth grade or so, a community swimming pool was built in Arden Park.  It was a great event for many of us who did not have swimming pools in our back yards as it was HOT in the summer.  I went regularly in the afternoons as did many friends.  Randy often walked down to the pool from his house always carrying his beach towel and a book.  He usually set out his towel at the end of the pool and sat down on the deck to read. I noticed that he turned the pages slowly and sometimes turned back a few before proceeding again.  While he was reading, he did not often talk to others.  Occasionally, he would look up from his book and scan the pool area. Sometimes he would take a dip in the pool.  Generally speaking, however, he concentrated on his book.  I grew curious so one day I walked over to him and asked him what he was reading.  His answer was his Math book.  Incredulous, I asked him if he was in summer school?   He said "No.  I always like to get a copy of my book(s) to read over the summer.  That way I can give my teachers a hard time during the year."   And then, he laughed a great big Randy laugh! I had no idea what that meant. Was he going to goof off in class all year long since he already knew the material or was he going to challenge his teachers?  I think probably the latter.... I hope this helps clarify the ease with which Randy glided through his academic years, particularly Math. In any case, I do not doubt Randy's genius.

I have looked through my 1961 year book, as I can't find my 1962, and everywhere Randy wrote Earl on his pictures.  I think maybe that was his given first name. We communicated for a time after the last big class reunion. With so much talk about drinking, I suggested he check out AA also found in Mexico.  That did it. I did not hear from Randy again! And I guess I was wrong. It seems like he did just manage to enjoy his life! Good for him, but I too am missing his presence and his smile.

Mary Hilkerbaumer Handy

 

 

 

 


06/15/20 02:05 PM #10    

Carl Scandella

Randy was one of the most loved members of our class at EC as evodenced by the memories shared here.  I knew Randy through our accelerated classes; he was in our XL math, science and English.  I particularly remember his prowess in math; we shared Mr. Pardee's XL math classes for four years..  I thought he was among the smartest people in our class, maybe THE smartest!  Everything seemed so easy for him.  A smile that could light up a room. A gifted athlete who starred in basketball and tennis. An unforgettable person.


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