After serving as secretary in 1984, vice president in 1985 & 1986 and president in 1987 & 1988, Bob was elected once again as Deming Logging Show president this last fall.
Bob was born in Bellingham, Wa in August 1950. Shortly after graduation from high school in 1968 he officially started his logging career working for Henry Zender & Sons Logging. Over the years he has done about every job the logging business has to offer. He ultimately ended up in the cutting business because of the excellent training and patience of ‘Coyote’ Joe Zender. In fact for almost 26 years Bob has been cutting and helping to erect the spar trees you see in the arena each year.
During the years of 1975 and 1976 Bob moved his family to a logging camp near Sitka, Alaska and worked for his dad. He says living and working in that camp was one of the best life experiences he has ever had. Bob had the pleasure of working for Sherm Ousdale, one of the Deming Logging Show’s past presidents and Bull of the Woods, for about 9 years. He says it was an enjoyable experience. In some way Sherm made every day fun. For the last 16 years he has been running his own timber cutting business and has contracted the cutting for Eco Log out of Acme, WA. Good guys to work for.
Bob’s dad, Ted Larsen and both grandfathers, Robert Larsen and Henry Zender Sr., were all lifetime loggers and Bob has been in the industry for almost 42 years. I guess you could say by now it’s probably in his blood.
Bob’s pride and joy in his life is his family; wife Kelli of 40 years, kids Lance & Laci, Shannon & Troy, Lindy & Jeff and Carrie and six grandchildren, Nathan, Andy, Riley, Camryn, Cailyn and Kayla.
You will hear Bob’s voice this weekend as he is our grandstand announcer and master of ceremonies. This will be his 16th year with those duties.
Bob would like to thank each and every person that in any way has helped to support the Deming Logging Show since it’s beginning in 1963. We have come a long way and are very proud of our accomplishments. We have been extremely successful in our endeavor to support the families of ‘busted up loggers’. Enjoy our show.   Congratulations Bob on your three time presidency!!