Beloit Daily News, Friday, January 26, 2007
‘Fine, one of a kind
citizen’
I was privileged to grow up in the 1960s
and 70s on the 1200 block of Hinsdale Avenue. Here, not just at
Roosevelt Jr. High School, Mr. Larsen was revered as the
“neighborhood watch” long before the concept began.
He worked often and passionately to have his home and yard be
the very best. And made sure others did so as well.
In our neighborhood, if you did try to
get away with trouble, you could bet Mr. Larsen’s eyes
were watching. Families (and principals! Mr. Kolak lived across
from the Larsens for some years) watched over all the
neighborhood children, not just their own. Sometimes I just
knew Mr. Larsen had eyes in the back of his head.
I was witness to his daily walks to
Roosevelt, past my house, across Keeler Avenue, and around the
school. As an adult I realize what a dedicated and unique
public employee he was. His dedication to (and probably creator
of) the PDA Rule made lots of kids who went through Roosevelt
Jr. High School blush, as he could see a hand-hold a mile away,
and always called you on it.
Later in life, when my children were
small, we bought a (used, lots of miles) car. I was showing it
off at my Mom’s when Mr. Larsen walked by and assessed
the situation. “Buick?” he said, “No worries,
you'll get another 150,000 miles out of that one.” He was
correct. His approval meant everything to me that day. He
didn’t give me compliments often, but when he did, I knew
I had “done well.”
Mr. Larsen’s neighborhood is
currently in bad condition. A house across from his old house
has garbage to the ceiling on the porch at times, and the
backyard is strewn with garbage any given day. I wish those
residents could have known Mr. Larsen and the good example he
set, about how to be a good neighbor, and to respect public and
private property because it is the right thing to do.
I treasure my memories of Mr. Larsen and
the pride he had for his home and family. My thoughts and
prayers are with the family at this time. Our community and
school system, and especially the “old
neighborhood,” have enjoyed a fine, “one of a
kind” citizen.
Karen (Kitelinger) McCauley
Beloit
