Robert C. Larson

Business and Civic Leader Robert C. Larson Dies at Age 75 BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI, March 11, 2010 Detroit-area business and community leader Robert C. Larson passed away today. Mr. Larson is survived by his wife Bonnie Ann Larson, their merged family of six children and eleven grandchildren; Elizabeth Larson Willoughby (Michael, Daniel and Sarah), Eric B. Larson (Kathy, Paige and Makenzie), Kathryn W. Larson (Ty); step-children Amy Cunningham (Jason, Abigail, Jordan and Lydia), Todd Blanding (Kimberley, Brady and Ethan) and Scott Blanding (Leesa and Ruby). Brother of David Larson (Emily), the late John Larson (Linda) and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Larson's wife Bonnie stated: "Whether in Bob's personal relationships, his involvement in the community, or in his professional life, making a difference was what mattered. He had a zest for life and lived it with extraordinary style, grace and dignity. The generosity of his spirit is the foundation of his rich legacy and will be cherished by all of those who knew him.". Mr. Larson's son Eric B. Larson said, "Like so much of what he did during his extraordinary life, my father had a plan and was in command throughout this journey. The outpouring of love and best wishes from his friends around the world has been a great source of strength for the family. For my dad, family always came first, and we were blessed to be able to be by his side." Mr. Larson, a resident of Bloomfield Hills, was one of the nation's most respected real estate executives. Most recently chairman of Lazard Real Estate Partners LLC, a New York based merchant banking business, and Larson Realty Group, a privately-owned Detroit-based company engaged in real estate investment. Mr. Larson was a director of numerous national and international real estate organizations, including Denver-based UDR, Inc., one of the country's largest multi-faceted real estate companies, where he was chairman of the board. He represented funds managed by Lazard Alternative Investments as a director of Atria Senior Living Group, Inc., and of Commonwealth Atlantic Properties, Inc. In addition, he served as a member of the Nantucket Funds Advisory Committee. Mr. Larson was a director and past chairman of the ULI Foundation and a trustee of the Urban Land Institute, whose Detroit chapter honored him in 2007 with its lifetime achievement award. He was a member and chairman emeritus of the Advisory Board of the Wharton Real Estate Center at the University of Pennsylvania; member and chairman of The Real Estate Roundtable; past chairman of the Board and a senior trustee of Cranbrook Educational Community; and an honorary trustee and past chairman of the National Urban League. He also was a director of Spoleto Festival, USA; a life governor of Cranbrook Academy of Art, a director of Downtown Detroit Partnership, Inc.; a director and executive committee member of the Detroit Zoological Society; a trustee of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation; an honorary trustee of Children's Hospital of Michigan and a trustee emeritus of Carleton College. Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Larson spent 26 years with The Taubman Company, a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in the development, management and ownership of regional retail centers. He joined the Company in 1974, was elected president and chief operating officer in 1978, chief executive officer in 1988 and vice chairman of Taubman Centers, Inc. and chairman of the Taubman Realty Group in 1990. He retired from active management responsibilities at Taubman in December, 1998 and as vice chairman and director in May, 2000. Public companies on whose boards Mr. Larson served in the past include: InterContinental Hotels Group, PLC (2003-2008); Six Continents PLC (2001-2003); Bass PLC (1996-2001); Brandywine Realty Trust (1999-2004); Lifestyle Furnishings, Inc. (1997-2002); ARV Assisted Living Inc. (2002-2004); and Taubman Centers Inc. (1990-2000). Other civic organizations with which Mr. Larson is, or has been, involved include: Mayor's Institute on City Design National Advisory Council (member, 2004 to present); Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan (trustee, 2002-2005); Greater Downtown Partnership (chairman, 1996-2001;director, 2001 to 2005); The Kresge Foundation (trustee, 1993-2006); Cranbrook Educational Community (trustee, 1990-2007, chairman 1996-2002, senior trustee 2007 to present); Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation (director, 1996 to 2001; emeritus director, 2001 to present); Carleton College (trustee, 1993-2001; trustee emeritus, 2009 to present), Mayor's Land Use Task Force for the City of Detroit (chairman, 1994-96); National Realty Committee (chairman, 1986-1993); Board of Visitors at Columbia University Medical Center (member, Executive Committee, 2004-2005); Mayor's Tax Reduction Task Force for the City of Detroit (chairman, 1998-99); Children's Hospital of Michigan (trustee, 1984 to 2008; honorary trustee, 2008 to present); Detroit Renaissance (director, 1995-2001); Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Inc. (trustee, 1986 to 2001); Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (member, 1999-2004); Visiting Committee of The University of Michigan Business School (member, 2000-2002); GreenWays Initiative Leadership Advisory Committee (member, 1999-2002); Wharton Real Estate Review (member, Editorial Advisory Council, 1996 to present); Detroit Investment Fund (director, 1995-97); Visiting Committee to The Division of Social Sciences of The University of Chicago (member, 1994-97); Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (chairman, 1995-97); The Greening of Detroit (chairman, Business Advisory Committee, 1990-1993; commissioner, 1990-1994; advisory board member, 1994 to 1999); The Christian Century Foundation (trustee, 1970-1995; trustee emeritus, 1996 to present); and Metropolitan Affairs Corporation of Detroit (trustee, 1978 to 1995; chairman, 1985-88). During 1996-97, Mr. Larson was acting president and chief executive officer of Cranbrook, a diverse educational community located on a 315 acre National Historic Landmark campus that includes a 1600 student independent school, a graduate academy of fine art, a contemporary art museum and the region's leading natural history and science institute. From 1990 to 1995, he served under appointments from Presidents Bush and Clinton as an independent member of the Thrift Depositor Protection Oversight Board that was established by Congress to provide policy guidance, oversight and funding to the Resolution Trust Corporation and as chairman of the Board's Audit Committee. Mr. Larson was a native of Minneapolis and received his B.A. degree in government and international relations from Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota. The memorial service to celebrate Bob Larson's life will be held on Friday, March 19th at 2:00 pm at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the following organizations: Detroit Institute of Arts 5200 Woodward Avenue Attn: Memorial Giving (Robert C. Larson) Detroit, Michigan 48202 Phone: Mr. Matthew O'Brien 313-494-5229 Online: dia.org/support/memorial Detroit Zoo 8450 West 10 Mile Road Attn: Gift in Memory of Robert C. Larson Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 248.541.5717 Cranbrook Art Academy Attn: Robert C. Larson Venture Fund 39221 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 248.645.3300 Kids Kicking Cancer P.O. Box 10266 New Orleans, Louisiana 70181 504.455.7754 www.larsonrg.org