Donald Eugene Larsen was born on February 24, 1947, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Leland Malvern and Ellen Johanna Larsen. He died on May 16, 2016, in Portland, Oregon. He was 69 years old.

Don Larsen grew up in Kearney, NE. He attended Kearney High School and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1965.

Don attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Army. During his service in Germany, he was trained as a biochemistry medical lab technician. Don was honorably discharged and moved to Portland in 1969. While attending Portland State University, he worked as a lab tech at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. After completing his junior year of college, Don worked in scientific sales until 1976, when he took a position as a fundraising salesman for the local Van Duyn Chocolates company.

Don Larsen and Diana Ziegler were married in 1976. They later divorced.

In 1980 Don and Diana celebrated the birth of their son, and Don started Renewable Energy, Inc. Their daughter was born in 1982. Don enjoyed his role as a father and his success as a pioneer in the solar energy industry.

Don was an excellent cook and an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skiing, fishing and hunting. In 2000, Don transitioned to a career as a roofing contractor. In 2006, an accident led to progressively complicated medical needs. Despite his physical limitations, he adapted to his new lifestyle and found joy in local interests and in entertaining close family and friends.

Don Larsen is survived by his son, Andrew Larsen of Portland; daughter and son-in-law, Erika and Chris Petersen of Portland; granddaughter, Avery Petersen; brother Marlin Larsen of Roseburg, OR; and sister Marcia Mattson of Holdrege, NE.