MDN File Photo Don Larson, co-founder and longtime president of the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, is shown in the museum in this photo published in The Minot Daily News’ 2014 Hometown publication.

When Don Larson, one of the founders of the Dakota Territory Air Museum, was interviewed for a story about the development of the museum for The Minot Daily News in August 2014, he said “It’s way beyond our original expectations.”

Larson died Thursday at his home at the age of 88.

Larson was one of the driving forces in establishing the air museum north of the Minot International Airport. His interest didn’t stop with the air museum, He has had a significant impact on local and North Dakota aviation as well, including his involvement in the planning and construction of Minot’s new airport terminal, completed in 2016.

“Don has been one of the mainstays of the DTAM (Dakota Territory Air Museum) since it started. He was currently the treasurer and while he had his own way of doing things he kept the museum on the right path, whether it was spraying the weeds, mowing the grass or doing the books, he was always there. His leadership will be missed going forward,” said Larry Linrud, current museum president.

Jenna Grindberg, director of the museum, said, “I started at the museum September 11, 2020. Since then, I’ve pretty much been around Don almost every day. He was a wealth of knowledge, easy to have a conversation with, and just generally a good human being. I learned so much from him. I’m grateful to have had the time with him that I did.”

Today, the museum’s recognition includes having one of the largest collections of actively flying World War II aircraft in the Upper Midwest.

Larson related to The Minot Daily News a number of times how the idea came about to establish an air museum in Minot.

He said the concept originated in 1986 with the Minot-Ward County Centennial.The late Ed Schmit, who was centennial chairman, asked if Larson would serve as chairman of the Aviation Days Committee, which Larson did. Larson said they wanted to have an air show. Inside and outside the committee, Larson said, they talked about this might be an appropriate time for establishing a facility to preserve aviation history.

“That’s kind of how it came about,” Larson said.

The Dakota Territory Air Museum was incorporated in the summer of 1986 by Larson, the late Al Pietsch and Warren Pietsch.

It has progressed since that time with construction of buildings, addition of numerous flyable warbirds and other aircraft, static displays inside and outside, programs and other activities, advancing to what it is today, with Larson serving as president for many of the years.

Glenn Blackaby of West Harrison, Indiana, worked with Larson for nearly 14 years, first as an employee in 2006, then as the museum’s first full time curator in 2007. He left in late 2019 to return to Indiana to care for his brother who had health issues.

“I worked with Don on a daily basis from 2006 to 2019. During that period, the museum experienced phenomenal growth, and you can attribute that to Don’s dedication, his experience, his acumen and his excellent leadership. Don was a professional and a true gentleman, in the best sense of that word. There’s a world of examples and stories I could tell to demonstrate these assertions, but let me sum it up by saying, Don was immersed in the care, evolution and progress of the museum. When I think back over the nearly 14 years there, I think of Don. Don was paramount to the museum’s growth and development. His calm and reassuring personality made him an excellent spokesman to the public when representing the museum. I associate him with many good memories.”