A lifetime of turning complex systems, difficult decisions, and real-world challenges into opportunities for better thinking, better learning, and better outcomes For Professor Richard C. Larson, some of the most important questions in life are not solved by theory alone. They require curiosity, critical thinking, observation, and—perhaps most importantly—a willingness to step beyond the classroom and understand how systems actually work in the real world. Throughout his career, Larson has combined rigorous Operations Research with practical engagement in public systems and industry. Yet what distinguishes his perspective is not simply his ability to build sophisticated mathematical models