Former Port of Benton commissioner dies

From left: Richland Mayor Robert Thompson, Richland City Manager Cindy Reents, TRIDEC President Carl Adrian, Port of Benton Commissioner Bob Larson, and Port of Benton Executive Director Scott Keller, finalize the transfer of more than 1,300 acres from TRIDEC to the city and port. The former DOE land will be used for economic development. File photo

A longtime Port of Benton commissioner has died at age 92.

Bob Larson died Dec. 22 in Richland, a place he called home for 63 years.

He served on the port for 27 years, from 1994 to 2021.

His personal efforts resulted in his most proud accomplishment of the port, securing the USS Triton sail and conning tower from the Navy and having it placed in the purpose-built USS Triton Sail Park in north Richland.

USS Triton Submarine Sail Park at 3250 Port of Benton Blvd. in north Richland features the decommissioned 23-foot tall USS Triton submarine sail. (Courtesy Ross James Photography)

During his tenure on the commission, he saw federal land from the Hanford 3000 and 1100 areas transferred to port ownership and operation, expansion of the Tri-Cities Research District, and acquisition of the 1,641 acres by local jurisdictions for the development of an advanced clean energy manufacturing park.

Einan’s at Sunset in Richland is in charge of arrangements.