Robert A. Larsen, age 72, died on January 3, 2019 at the Lyons V.A. Hospital, Lyons, N.J. from cancer caused by Agent Orange while proudly serving his country in Vietnam from 1968-1970.
Born in Plainfield in 1946, he was a longtime resident of Cranford, NJ. He was a graduate of Cranford High School, UnionCounty College, and received a BA degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, all in NJ.
Bob was an Airborne Ranger in Co K 75th Infantry Army.
After his tour of duty, most of his employment service was with two companies, Clark Door as a Sales and Product Engineer and Century Conveyor as an Electrical Controls Department shop manager.
He was an avid fisherman, both fresh and saltwater.
He is survived by his sister Susan Donio, brother-in-law John Donio, and nephews Mark and David Donio.
Memorial services will be private.
From Brian West 11/20/2025:
In 1968-1969 I was team leader of Hotel4Echo in the K75 Rangers based in Pleiku, Vietnam. My team consisted of 5 individuals, 2 of whom were Y Blong (a Montagnard scout) and SSGT Robert Larsen. Bob had been at the top of his class at Ranger school back in the states. As team leader I usually carried the 25 pound PRC-25 radio, but to test Bob’s E-6 skills, I had Bob carry it, and he proved he was justified to have earned the E-6 pay grade.
The mission was on Chu Pa Mountain and we crossed a well-used trail. I decided to set up an ambush, but ended up finding myself lying prone near the trail after having counted over 200 NVA and a Chinese advisor coming up the trail. One in the group of 20 to 30 soldiers 30 feet away from me stopped and stared at me. I could not shoot at him and have all those NVA shoot at me. But, if he were to take the rifle to a firing position, I would definitely blow him away. It was a Mexican stand-off.
Y Blong and Bob were slightly behind me and possibly visible, but Y Blong managed very carefully to get the mike out of Bob’s pack, turn on the PRC-25 that was in it, and pass the mike to him without being seen by the NVA. With mike in hand, Bob very stealthily called in artillery. The next thing that occurred was that the entire area in front of me was exploding and trees were being cut off by shrapnel. Then Bob passed me the handset and I handled the gunships. Then we laid low until things settled down. None of the team were injured.
I owe my life to 2 LRRP’s, Y Blong and SSgt Robert Larsen. You have my most sincere gratitude.