Dr. Richard C. Larson’s Legacy in Engineering, Research, and Model-Based Decision-Making.
Dr. Richard C. Larson’s Dr. Richard C. Larson’s professional life is a beacon of what can be accomplished when intellectual passion is joined with a lifelong commitment to using knowledge to address real-world challenges. Known globally for his seminal contributions to Operations Research and Industrial Engineering, Dr. Larson has crafted a career that harmoniously integrates scholarship, leadership, and practical influence. A Pinnacle Professional Member of the Inner Circle of Excellence, he has spent decades influencing engineering education, research, and practice.
Academic Roots and Intellectual Journey
Dr. Larson’s association with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is profound and long-standing. Having received his B.S. in 1965, M.S. in 1967, and Ph.D. in 1969, he committed his professional life to pushing research forward and grooming future leaders. His work has consistently been about connecting theory to practice — translating mathematical models into practical solutions for public safety, city planning, and even decision-making in everyday life.
His instruction is not merely about frameworks and equations; it’s about developing a mindset. To Dr. Larson, model thinking is a world understanding — an approach that assists in simplifying complexity and developing strategies that succeed in real life.
Leadership and Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Dr. Larson has held powerful leadership positions such as president of the Operations Research Society of America (ORSA) and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). His leadership in modernizing the discipline and motivating a generation of researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners influenced many.
Outside of academia, he co-founded Public Systems Evaluation, Inc. and Structured Decision Corporation, whose models informed urban policy and made systems better in cities such as New York and St. Louis. This mix of consulting and teaching was his way of accepting that intellectual tools must directly serve society — rather than wait for research papers.
A Mission to Bring Models to the Public
In 2023, Dr. Larson wrote Model Thinking for Everyday Life: How to Make Smarter Decisions, a new book aimed at enabling readers to use analytical thinking in everyday decisions. From getting out of the house for an appointment on time to balancing your budget to making tough trade-offs, the book demonstrates how models can make life more knowable and manageable.
This book is not merely intellectual — it’s a cultural invitation. Dr. Larson wants to make model thinking accessible as a skill, not only for scientists or engineers. By making this knowledge available widely through prominent booksellers, he wants to democratize decision-making tools for individuals of any age.
Although professionally successful, Dr. Larson is humble. He attributes a lot of his success to his late wife, M. Elizabeth Murray, whose support and collaboration stood by him through it all. He also gives credit to his children — Erik, Evan, and Ingrid — for continuously believing in his work and for encouraging him to continue learning, teaching, and venturing.
Legacy and the Road Ahead
Numerous former students of Dr. Larson are now leaders in government, academia, and industry, and carry on his mission of using model thinking to address the challenges of society. He has not only influenced careers but also the ethics and analytical strategies of countless professionals through mentorship.
Even now, Dr. Larson isn’t slowing down. He keeps writing, teaching, and spreading the word for a world in which better choices are made by careful design and strong analysis. His own career is testament to how intellectual discipline, when combined with a sense of mission, can bring lasting change to society.
