Lars Everett Runar

Lars Everett Runar passed away at the Manor at Bluewater Bay on Saturday morning, Sept. 10, 2022. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to Lars Albert Runar and Bertha Ohman Runar on Dec. 11, 1934.

Lars served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, to include assignments in Germany and Libya, retiring as a Master Sergeant in Jan. 1975.  He then began his civilian career with the Air Force in the U.S. and Germany.  He retired from civil service and moved to the Emerald Coast in 1995.

Always impeccably dressed, Lars was a Life member of MENSA and a friend of Bill W. for nearly 50 years.  His community activities included publishing the newsletter and presenting music appreciation lectures at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Valparaiso, publishing the newsletter and serving as 3rd vice president for the Northwest Florida Symphony Guild.

Lars may be best known as a photographer, taking pictures at various Fellowship, Symphony and other community events.  As a professional photographer, his portfolio includes numerous scenic, landscape, portrait and artistic photography, garnering national and international awards.  He was also an accomplished chess player, winning competitions in the U.S., Libya and Europe. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Linda and is survived by his first wife, Helen Giffard, son Sheldon Lars, and daughter Sonja Karen Runar.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship or to the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.

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