Laurence Rolf Russell Dawson ’42

Larry Dawson died Dec. 4, 2007, in Los Altos Hills, Calif.  Larry was the son of John C. Dawson Jr. 1912. His father and mother were killed in an airplane crash when he was 6 years old, and he was raised by an aunt. He attended the Millbrook School, where he was later a longtime trustee. At Princeton, Larry was on the freshman football team. He joined Key and Seal, majored in psychology, was a member of Sigma Xi, and graduated with honors. After serving in the Navy as supply officer on a destroyer escort, Larry returned to the civilian world and a life of service to liberal causes. Initially he acted as Illinois director of the United World Federalists and simultaneously undertook intensive study of Russian.  In 1953 he and his family moved to California, where became a film producer. Larry Dawson Productions specialized in documentary films. He was director of the Sierra Club's film program, and served as a director of the Experiment in International Living and the San Jose Symphony. Larry could be counted on to support any organization directed toward human betterment.  The class sends condolences to his wife, Jimmie Dawson; his children, Richard, Bruce, John, and Mary; four stepchildren; three grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren.