In 1955, widower Larry C. Havstad married Helen Watts, a teacher at the Loma Linda Elementary School. In 1956, the Havstads returned to Walla Walla, Washington, where they built a new home in the country. As they got comfortably established, more requests came for Larry’s efforts in Loma Linda. Until he could move back to Loma Linda, Havstad enlisted help from someone he could trust. “I had a very fine young man working with me that I took right out of college, an engineering student from Walla Walla College, Mel Bergval. He succeeded in carrying out the work with me in Loma Linda in my absence, until we moved back.” Bergval not only superintended Havstad’s projects but also became his partner and carried on with his own projects after Havstad’s retirement.
But in the meantime, Havstad moved back to Loma Linda in 1962, in time to expand the Physiology and Anatomy buildings, build a new Biochemistry building, the Student Activities Center, and the Loma Linda Market.
His biggest project was the University Hospital, a joint venture with Del E. Webb, built from 1964 to 1967. Together with Architect Earl Heitschmidt, the three spent 18 months comparing different structural systems, planning the building, and comparing costs. In 1971, he stated, “…although I have been wanting to retire, I find still in my blood the desire to serve this institution that I believe was ordained of God as the greatest single instrumentality that this denomination has.”
Then he acknowledged “wonderful relationships” he had enjoyed with institutional leaders. “I want to pay tribute especially to Mr. Robert L. Cone, who was the Vice President for Financial Affairs here at the University during the very critical period when we built the medical center. Bob Cone is a remarkable man. He is able to say “No” and to say it so firmly that there is no question about what he means. I find that when you go to him with problems he’ll face up to them. He may not agree with you, in which case he’ll turn you down, but he is a man that if you can demonstrate your integrity, he’ll go along with you the second mile. …I find it impossible to fully express the depth of gratitude that I feel toward that man.
“[Dr. Godfrey T. Anderson, president of CME/LLU] was always a gentleman, and I think that we can truthfully say, a scholar. I think of my fine friendship with Dr. Walter Macpherson and the influence he has had on my life. I’ve never seen an occasion when Dr. Macpherson was not a gentleman, and he’s been very kind and considerate and understanding through the years. I count it a great joy to classify him as one of my dearest friends.
The Havstads created a sizeable trust to benefit Loma Linda University. “We sincerely trust that this will be a great help in promoting the aims and purposes of this great institution…. I feel secure in the monies which we have invested in this institution, and I hope that we can all use our influence to enlarge and expand this program so that it can completely fulfill Loma Linda’s mission in this world of need.”
After completing 37 years of involvement in Loma Linda, including membership with the University Councilors, Havstad looked back with mixed emotions. “I wish that somehow or other I could have accomplished more, but I am so grateful for the privilege of having served here. I feel that Loma Linda [University] and the College of Medical Evangelists have permitted me to fulfill the greatest mission of my life; that of making a substantial contribution to the cause of God in this earth…. Altogether, it has been a long and fruitful experience for us, and I just wish I could turn the clock back and do it all over again.”