Robert L. Larson

Robert Leonard Larson (September 20, 1898 – October 6, 1986)^[1] was a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court from February 9, 1953, to April 1, 1971, appointed from Johnson County, Iowa. He was previously Attorney General of Iowa from 1947 to 1953.

Robert Larson
Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court
In office July 1, 1959 – December 31, 1961
Preceded by	G. King Thompson
Succeeded by	Theodore G. Garfield
In office January 1, 1956 – June 30, 1956
Preceded by	Ralph Oliver
Succeeded by	G. King Thompson
Associate Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court
In office February 9, 1953 – April 1, 1971
Appointed by	William S. Beardsley
Preceded by	Halleck J. Mantz
Attorney General of Iowa
In office 1947–1953
Preceded by	John M. Rankin
Succeeded by	Leo Hoegh
Assistant Attorney General of Iowa
In office 1943–1947
Solicitor for Iowa City
In office 1937–1941
Personal details
Born	(1898-09-20)September 20, 1898 Fairfield, Iowa, U.S.
Died	October 6, 1986(1986-10-06) (aged 88)
Spouse(s)	Helen Kruse ​ (m. 1922)​ Wilma Donham ​ (m. 1938)​
Children	4
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Rank	Apprentice Seaman

Personal life

Larson was born in Fairfield, Iowa to Charles Leonard Larson and Nellie (Stever) Larson. He graduated from Parsons College in 1921. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He later attended the University of Chicago before receiving his J.D. degree from the University of Iowa in 1930.^[2] While at Iowa he was initiated into Sigma Pi fraternity.^[3]

After graduating he practiced law in Iowa City until 1943 while also teaching at public schools in Wapello and Anamosa.^[2] From 1937 to 1941 he was the Solicitor of Iowa City and on the Johnson County Republican Central Committee.^[3]

Larson was a member of the American Legion, Freemasons, Shriners, the American Bar Association, and the Rotary.^[4]

He married Helen Kruse on June 1, 1922 and later to Wilma Donham on March 12, 1938. He had four children.^[3]

Government

Larson began serving as the assistant attorney general of Iowa in 1943. He was appointed as the state's attorney general in 1947 to fill the unexpired term of John M. Rankin. He was elected to the office in 1948 and served until 1953.^[2]

In 1952 he turned down an opportunity to run for governor.^[3]

In 1953, he was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court by Governor William S. Beardsley. He served a six-month term as the Chief Justice in 1955.^[3] He became the first permanent Chief Justice from 1959 to 1961.^[2]

Notable cases

Katko v. Briney while an associate justice of the Iowa Supreme Court.