Badminton Europe and Danish Technical Officials mourn the loss of John Larsen, who passed away on 17 November 2014, nearly 75 years of age.
 
A well-respected International umpire in his youth, John Larsen was forced by health issues to step down from the chair well before time. Instead he took over the management of umpires for Badminton Danmark and later on, in 1982, he was elected Member of the EBU Technical Committee,  Here, again, his role was the training and management of all European umpires, a duty he fulfilled with diplomacy and tact. John Larsen’s contribution to the development of the standard of umpiring in Europe was substantial, until he – again due to his health – retired in 1993.

Moreover, John Larsen was a fine referee, firm but fair and always approachable. His many qualities made him a highly appreciated colleague among international technical officials, and his ability often to travel for free by SAS, where he was in charge of in-flight entertainment, made him additionally popular with the financial administration in those days, when money was very tight in badminton.

He did receive the BWF - Meritorious Service Award in 1996.
 
Condolences go from the European badminton community to his widow Birthe and his family. 

Article by Torsten Berg.