GUILDERLAND — Louis Herve Larche was a man who — despite stellar credentials and widespread successes — remained humble.
"He had all the impressive records, but he would never boast about what he did," said his son, Rev. Jeffrey M. L’Arche.

He was a leader in his airlines career and in many local civic organizations, and he was elected to public office in Guilderland. He was also a deeply religious man and a devoted family man.
"He was a people person," said his son. "What he talked about were the special friendships he made; they were more important to him than the organizations."

Mr. Larche died on Friday, Nov. 25, 2005, at Teresian House. He was 90.

He was born on Nov. 11, 1915 in Malone, N.Y., the son of the late Louis N. and Sylvia Chagnon Larche.
"He was the youngest boy of eight children. His father, Louis Napoleon, worked on the Canadian railroad. They were a poor French-Canadian family that settled in Malone," said Rev. L’Arche.
The family’s original French name was L’Archeveque, meaning "the archbishop," said Rev. L’Arche. The priest said he often kids with people that, because of the shortened name, he knew he would never become an archbishop. He uses the more original French, although still shortened, version of the name — L’Arche — while his father and other family members stayed with the simplified Larche.

Mr. Larche was a graduate of Franklin Academy in Malone, and he later married his high-school sweetheart, Barbara Herrick. They were married for 63 years at the time of his death.
"Dad went to Syracuse University on a football scholarship. He was the only boy in the family that went to college," said Rev. L’Arche.

He continued to love football for the rest of his life.
"During football season, he’d be in a trance in front of the television," said his son. In later years, golf became his passion. But Mr. Larche didn’t push his children to follow his passions, said his son, with admiration.
"I’m big in stature, but he never interfered and said I should follow in his footsteps and go out for the Guilderland High School football team...Later, I wanted to get into golf because he was such an avid golfer. I never could get the swing right...He was very respectful of what the three of us wanted to do," said Rev. L’Arche of himself, his brother, and his sister. "He was supportive of us and would encourage us in our interests."

It wasn’t until after his father died and Rev. L’Arche was going through his papers that he discovered his father had majored in zoology at Syracuse. But it made sense, once he knew it.

The family home on Willow Street in Guilderland was in a rural area at the time the Larche children were growing up; a cow pasture was next to the house.
The late Richard Langenbach, a neighbor and chicken expert, served as a mentor to Rev. L’Arche when he was young, he said. "Dad built me chicken coops," he recalled fondly. Rev. L’Arche, who lives now at La Salette, said, "I have quite a menagerie here."

Mr. Larche minored in abnormal psychology. After graduating from Syracuse University, he studied for one year at the McGill University Medical School in Montreal.

High-flying career

He then served in the United States Navy during World War II, and flew five years in the U.S. Naval Air Force as a pilot in South America, the Caribbean, Greenland, Iceland, and England, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three medals, and several other awards.

Rev. L’Arche said his father didn’t often speak about his war experiences to his family.
"He kept in touch, though, with his co-pilot, his radio man, and his navigator...They used to enjoy reunions," he said. "Dad was never one to tell war stories."
But his son did recall talking to one of his father’s war-time friends while visiting him at Teresian House, where he lived in his final years. "We won the war again," said the friend, recounting their conversation.

In 1946, Mr. Larche joined the operations department of American Airlines; he worked in all departments and advanced to the auto-sales department in 1948, becoming district sales manager in 1960. He retired in 1980 after 34 years.
"Mayor Corning came to his retirement party. Sophisticated types were there and so were those who were simply relatives," said his son.

Civic contributions

Mr. Larche belonged to and led a wide range of civic organizations.

Although his children knew he was involved in many activities, they were surprised to read his résumé after his death and absorb the extent of his many commitments, said Rev. L’Arche.
"He never boasted. It was a surprise to read the résumé," he said. "He liked the simple things. Everyone was special to him. He wasn’t interested in honors or citations."

Mr. Larche was a member of the Albany Kiwanis; he was past president and lieutenant governor, a member of the bowling team, and he attended five international conventions.

He was past president of the Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity. He was president of the Capital District Transportation Association, the only airline person to head the organization.

He served as president of the Guilderland Fire Department for three terms and was a fireman for 35 years. He was also a Guilderland fire commissioner.
"In those days, the firemen built the firehouse themselves," said his son. "I remember spending Saturdays there while he worked on it. He was always one to pitch in and help."

Mr. Larche was also director of the Capital District Bon Vivants.

He was a Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus, Joseph Boldt Council.

He was also a member of the Berkshire County Traffic Club; the American Legion, Fort Orange Post; the advisory committee of the Capital District Travelers Aid; the advisory committee of the Hudson Valley Community College Transportation and Distribution Management; the Three Diamond Society; the American Association of Retired Persons; and past president of the Syracuse University Alumni Club of the Capital District.

Mr. Larche was a member of the Naval Reserve Officers Association.

He was also a former member of the Albany, Schenectady and Troy Chamber of Commerce, past director of the Albany Chamber, past chairman of State Affairs and the National Affairs Committee.

Public service, faith, and family

Mr. Larche was elected to public office in Guilderland. When the town’s assessor was an elected post, he served for eight years.
"Guilderland was Republican in those years," said his son, "and there was much rejoicing when he was elected...He was involved in many Republican events at the local level."

He was also appointed to the Board of Assessment Review for 10 years; he became its chairman.

Mr. Larche was a deeply religious man and past president of the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Men’s Club.

He was lector and Eucharistic minister and minister to the sick at Christ the King Parish.
"His faith permeated his whole life," said his son. "After I was ordained, my father liked to introduce me by saying, ‘I want you to meet my son, the father.’"
Rev. L’Arche continued, "He went to mass daily." Mr. Larche was called "the parish curmudgeon," which, his son stressed, "was said in a benevolent and pleasant way."
He went on, "People often described him in superlative ways — as a good man, fine and accomplished. There was a certain reverence people had for him."
Despite his many civic and professional activities, Mr. Larche always made time for family and their activities, said his son. "He was very much a family man," said Rev. L’Arche.

Mr. Larche served as past president of the Altamont PTA and he was a member of the original centralization committee of the Guilderland school system.
"He supported all three of us kids — with scouting, 4-H, whatever we were doing," said Rev. L’Arche. "He knew the movers and shakers, but he was also involved with the little people...We were taught our relatives were the greatest in the whole, wide world."
Rev. L’Arche went on about his father, "He had high expectations for his kids. He would encourage us, but not make us take a certain path. He allowed us to become ourselves."
It was hard for Rev. L’Arche to watch his father’s health decline in recent years. "He was this very athletic football star...It was heartbreaking to see."
Rev. L’Arche was comforted recently by the words of a friend: "Brother Donald said, ‘Your father outgrew his body.’"
Rev. L’Arche concluded, "Basically, he was a very unassuming, humble man."

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Louis Herve Larche is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara (Herrick) Larche; his sons, Rev. Jeffrey M. L’Arche of Altamont and James Larche of Guilderland; his daughter, Linda Ford of Guilderland; and his granddaughter, Erin Ford.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

His seven siblings all died before him — sisters Lorette Jennings, Rhea Brewer, Lucille McNulty, and Pauline Mischler — and his brothers — Alcide, Florant, and Orance Larche.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday at Christ the King Church in Guilderland. Interment followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery, also in Guilderland.

Arrangements are by NewComer-Cannon Family Funeral Home of Colonie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ the King Building Fund, to Teresian House, to the La Salette Missionaries, or to the Guilderland Fire Department.