Robert Leroy Larsen (November 28, 1934 - March 21, 2021) was a celebrated conductor and stage director.
Educated at the University of Michigan and Indiana University, he founded Des Moines Metro Opera in 1973. He would serve as Conductor and Stage Director for nearly 120 productions over the Company's first 38 seasons.
Additionally, Larsen served as Chair of the Department of Music at Simpson for 33 years, teaching there for a total of 60 years, from 1957 to 2017. He received the Iowa Arts Award in 1990.