My father, L. Donald Easter, attended the first organizational meeting for Des Moines Metro Opera at the home of Dr. Lawrence Ely. They both caught the contagious enthusiasm for the vision presented by Dr. Robert Larsen. My dad loved supporting and serving on the board of DMMO year after year. My parents attended every one of the operas Dr. Larsen directed—and I had my first date with the young man who became my husband, ushering for the opera in 1975. Over the years we’ve enjoyed chatting with Dr. Larsen in the lobby, an unmistakable presence. What a legacy he built! May he find joy directing a heavenly chorus!

– Jane Bahls