Robert George Larson, 86, of Springfield, Ill., died on June 16, 2007, at St. John&8217;s Hospice. Memorial gathering will be held on Thursday from 5 p.m. until time of services at 7 p.m. at the

Sangamon Prairie Reception Center 201 S. Main, Chatham, Ill. with Paula J. Staab Polk as celebrant.

Mr. Larson was born on Jan. 6, 1921, in Albert Lea to John and Ida Anderson Larson. He married Mary Ellen Carey on Aug. 12, 1945.

Mr. Larson was a well known display artist and museum curator. He began his career in 1944 at the Milwaukee Public Museum; in 1948 he worked at the Missouri Resource Museum; in 1951 he became the director of the Sandhills State Park and Museum in Texas until 1960. Mr. Larson designed murals for Sul Ross State University which were commissioned by the Dupont Family. In 1963 he and his wife moved to Illinois where he was the Artist Curator of Exhibits until his retirement in 1986. Mr. Larson was a member of the Sangamon County Historical Society, the Illinois State Museum Society and Springfield Art Association. His drawings were chosen to be the

Illinois State Duck Stamp of 1975 and the Country Gentlemen&8217;s&8217; Magazine Cover in 1976.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen of Springfield, Ill.; one daughter Kara (husband JC) Rice; two grandchildren: Erin Marie Rice and John Calvin Rice III &8220;Cal&8221; all of New Berlin, Ill.; one sister

Margaret Pottick-Perkel (husband Mike) of Las Vegas, Nev.; brothers-in-law: Dr. Roland Peek of Minneapolis, and Leo Carey (wife Nora) of Albert Lea; and sister-in-law Adeline Bullard (husband Bob) of Forest Lake.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois State Museum Society.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Jane Peek and brother-in-law Richard James Carey.

Staab Polk Memorial Home, 201 S. Main, Chatham, Ill., is serving the family.