Dr. Richard C. Larson, a name deeply etched in the annals of operations research and academic excellence, has lived a life rooted in purpose, guided by curiosity, and inspired by the profound belief that every single day is a gift. A distinguished academic, innovator, and thought leader, Dr. Larson’s journey from the serene streets of Bayside, Queens to the bustling corridors of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been marked by a relentless pursuit of meaning—both in his work and in his interactions with the world.