Leif Irgens Larsen
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Published in Legacy.com on June 8, 2025
Leif Irgens Larsen, a vibrant and adventurous spirit, passed away peacefully at home on March 18, surrounded by family and friends. He had been living with bulbar ALS for four and a half years. He was 69.
Leif is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Leah Robins Larsen; his sons, Reid Larsen (wife Keegan) and Grey Larsen; and his siblings, Siri, Rikk, and Peik.
Born and raised in Armonk, New York, Leif was the youngest of five and quickly became known for his creativity, mischief, and boundless energy. Leah would often say he flew under the radar of any parental grip and somehow, with a little good luck, always walked free. A good friend once said that what truly opened doors for Leif was the twinkle in his eye and his smile. Wherever he went, magic seemed to follow.
Leif attended Choate and then Hampshire College, where he met Leah, the love of his life. At Hampshire, he also discovered ultimate frisbee. With strength, speed, and strategy, he helped lead his team, the Rude Boys, to national and world championships in the early 1980s. The friendships forged on those fields lasted a lifetime.
Athleticism came naturally to Leif. He was a gifted skier, soccer and tennis player, windsurfer, wing foiler, and all-around outdoorsman. He was competitive to his core but never mean-spirited. He played for the joy, the camaraderie, and the laughs.
In 1980, Leif and Leah bought a 1700s farmhouse in Watertown, Massachusetts, in need of love and repair. Over the years, they transformed it into a haven of beauty and warmth, welcoming countless friends. Leif, a self-taught craftsman, brought extraordinary skill to the renovation and later applied that same creativity to a successful career as a production designer for television commercials. He created richly detailed sets with passion and precision, always working on his own terms: fast, skilled, and fun.
Leif poured that same creative energy into family life. His boys grew up building with him, creating treehouses, zip lines, Halloween costumes, even an eight-foot robot in his workshop. A pirate boat they built together became a favorite in the waters of Amagansett, New York, one of the family’s most cherished places.
After Leif’s diagnosis in 2021, both sons moved back home to be close. Even after losing his speech, Leif remained actively involved, filming drone footage of his sons learning to wingfoil, then coaching them via iPad. Thoughtful, funny, and insightful, he never stopped being Dad.
Leif’s Norwegian roots ran deep. His father had fled Nazi-occupied Norway to build a life in America. Leif maintained strong ties to the Larsen homes in Stowe, Vermont, and Neset, their ancestral home in Rauland, Telemark, Norway. He cherished these places, inviting friends and family to share in their peace and beauty, and keeping alive the spirit and traditions of his Nordic heritage.
When word of Leif’s illness spread, friends rallied immediately. A devoted group called “The Wednesday Boys” formed to take him on weekly outings, including museums, the Charles River, paintball, and mini golf. The constant was laughter. As always, Leif was the magnet, drawing people together.
He was a sharp observer of the world and a master of dry wit. He loved the mountains of Vermont, the waves of Amagansett and Barbados, and the feeling of wind and water. He lived with creativity, humor, heart, and an enduring sense of fun.
Leif Larsen left the world too soon, but he left it better, filled with beauty, meaning, and connection. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and remembered with gratitude for a life lived boldly and joyfully.
Donations can be made to Compassionate Care ALS, PO Box 1052, West Falmouth MA 02574 or online at CCALS.org.