Former Spears dean Larry Crosby dies at 73

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Media Contact: Terry Tush | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-2703 | terry.tush@okstate.edu

Dr. Larry Crosby, who served as dean of the Spears School of Business from 2010 to 2013, died Sunday in a plane crash in Wyoming. Crosby’s wife, Frances Li, also died.

Crosby was 73; Li was 56.

“It is with great sadness to learn of the passing of former Spears dean Larry Crosby and his wife, Frances,” said Dr. Ken Eastman, dean of Spears Business. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.”

Crosby was named dean of Spears Business in March 2010 and served for three years before resigning in July 2013 to accept the position of dean at the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in California.

Crosby earned a doctoral degree in business administration, a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Michigan. Before being named to lead Spears Business, he served on the faculty at Arizona State University, the University of Michigan and the University of Nebraska.

According to reports, the 182 Cessna left Fort Collins, Colorado, on its way to Rock Springs, Wyoming, the day of the crash. Denver International Airport contacted the Albany County (Wyoming) Sheriff’s Office at about 11:45 a.m. Sunday, saying it had lost contact with the plane.

The sheriff’s office, its search and rescue outfit, the Laramie Fire Department and Classic Air Medical all responded to the Dutton Creek Road area and found the crashed plane in a remote location about 30 miles west of Laramie. Federal flight authorities are in charge of the investigation of the crash.