(Bismarck, ND) – Lawmakers in North Dakota are reacting to the passing of State Senator Doug Larsen, who died Sunday night in a plane crash near Moab, Utah. Larsen, his wife and their two young children died in the crash.
“First Lady Kathryn, Lt. Gov. Miller and I are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking loss of Sen. Doug Larsen, his wife, Amy, and their two young sons. Sen. Larsen was a father, husband, coach, entrepreneur, businessman, state senator and lieutenant colonel in the North Dakota National Guard who committed himself fully to each of those roles with an unwavering sense of honor and duty,” said Burgum, commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard. “As a legislator, he was a tenacious advocate for individual rights and the freedoms he defended through his military service. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family and friends and join his legislative colleagues, National Guard brothers and sisters and the Mandan community in mourning the tragic passing of Sen. Larsen and his family.”
Larsen enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard on March 14, 1994, as a combat engineer. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was appointed as a commissioned officer on Aug. 18, 2001. He served as an engineer officer and later became an aviation officer on Oct. 19, 2006. Larsen was mobilized twice: once in 2009-2010 to Iraq as the company commander for Charlie Company of the 2-285th Assault Battalion, and again in 2013-2014 to Washington, D.C., in support of Operation Noble Eagle with the 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Battalion. He earned numerous honors and awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Service Star and Army Aviator Badge
Maj. General Alan Dorhmann, Adjutant General for the North Dakota National Guard, called Larsen a “true patriot who dedicated his life, both in and out of uniform, to serving others.”
In a statement, Dohrmann said, ““I am saddened by the loss of Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two sons. I cannot think of a more tragic loss for one family, and the North Dakota National Guard sends our condolences to all of their friends and family.”
United States Senator Kevin Cramer, former North Dakota GOP Chairman, said in a tweet, “Kris and I are saddened by the tragic passing of North Dakota State Senator Doug Larsen, his wife Amy, and their two children. My prayers are with their loved ones.”
United States Senator John Hoeven, former Governor of North Dakota, said in a statement, “Mikey and I send our deepest condolences to the Larsen family following this tragedy. We honor their memory and dedication to their community, state and nation. For nearly 30 years, Doug served as a member of the National Guard, protecting our country both at home and abroad, and his family served right alongside him as he answered the call. We join the Mandan community in mourning their loss and offer our prayers on behalf of all their friends and loved ones.”
Sandi Sanford, North Dakota GOP Chairwoman, said, “On behalf of the NDGOP, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to the extended Larsen family. Senator Doug Larsen (D34) was a man of faith and a patriot who served in the National Guard. His voice will be missed in the North Dakota Senate.”
