Libertyville legend, ex-official dead at 78

Everyone who knew him has at least one Dean Larson story.

"The one that he must've told me 100 times was how he was in the basement of the Brainerd Building, and he was looking at the boiler, and he got himself stuck between the pipes," said Libertyville Trustee Bob Peron, recalling his favorite Larson tale. "He thought nobody would ever find him, but they did.

"If somebody was in the room, he would tell that story," Peron added. "We could tell it as well as he could."

A former teacher, school administrator, village trustee and local historian, Larson was known for his storytelling as much as his vast knowledge of Libertyville lore.

Larson, 78, died Thursday at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He had been in failing health.

Larson's reach touched many corners of Libertyville.

A U.S. Army veteran, he came to the village in 1958 after leaving the military to teach government and history at Libertyville High School, back when that facility still occupied the Brainerd Building on Route 176.

He also taught chemistry, physics, economics and other courses and eventually joined the District 128 administration. He retired as assistant superintendent for business in 1992.

Larson's knowledge of the school was remarkable.

"If you ever had an inquiry with Dean about the school, he would take you on a tour to an area that nobody ever went to," said former Libertyville High teacher Judy Sugarman, now a District 128 school board member. "People didn't even know these areas of the school existed."

Former District 128 superintendent Don Gossett, who worked with Larson for years, considered him a good friend long after they both left their posts.

"He was dedicated to his work and he was dedicated to the community," Gossett said. "He absolutely loved Libertyville High School and the community of Libertyville more than anyone will ever know."

After leaving Libertyville High, Larson served as an interim administrative assistant to the superintendent of the Waukegan School District.

Larson joined the Libertyville village board in 1993 and remained on the panel until early 2008, when he resigned for health reasons.

He was named the village's first historian after leaving the board. The title was fitting, as he had been a longtime officer of the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society and was well versed on the region's past.

Larson also received a lifetime achievement award from the Illinois State Historical Society. Additionally, a triangle of green space at Rockland Road and Crane Boulevard in Libertyville was dedicated in his honor.

For years, Larson was a fixture at the Cook Memorial Public Library in Libertyville. He could be found there most days, often conducting research on local history.

"Pretty much every time I've been in the library, I've seen Dean," said Aaron Lawlor, the Cook Memorial board president.

Lawlor said he often relied on Larson's historical knowledge.

"Dean had information that could really give you insight as to what happened in the past," Lawlor said. "Dean could give you the full perspective of an issue, dating back decades."

Through his years in town, Larson often crossed paths with local business owner and political activist Jack L. Martin, who warmly recalled Larson's storytelling style.

Even though Larson tended to be long-winded, no one ever cut him short, Martin said.

"No one ever stopped him because of the respect they had for the man," Martin said.

Flags on village-owned property will fly at half staff until Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Jeff Harger said.

Visitation is 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave., Libertyville.

A funeral is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Lutheran Church, 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville.

Interment is noon Wednesday at Galva Cemetery in northwestern Illinois.

Memorials can be made to the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society.

Daily Herald Staff Writer Bob Susnjara contributed to this report.