Barbara Larson Cambridge

Barbara Larson Cambridge, 82, died peacefully on August 24, 2026, in Washington, DC, surrounded by loved ones. An internationally recognized expert on writing studies and higher education, she touched countless lives through her professional work, commitment to her community, and devotion to her family and friends.

Barbara was born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 26, 1943, and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. After graduating from Broad Ripple High School in 1961, she attended Bradley University and spent her junior year abroad at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. She received a BA from Bradley University in 1965 and a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University in 1983.

At Broad Ripple, she met Robert “Bob” Cambridge (d. 2016), whom she married in 1965. They had two sons, Darren Cambridge (b. 1974) and Nathan “Andy” Cambridge (b. 1977), and moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1976. After divorcing in 1978, Barbara and Bob remained close friends and devoted co-parents.

After beginning her career teaching middle school, Dr. Cambridge was a professor of English at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) for 25 years, serving as director of the Writing Center, director of campus writing, and associate dean of the faculties, as well as the faculty member of the Indiana Higher Education Commission.

After moving to Washington, DC, in 1996, she served as director of teaching initiatives and vice president for programs at the American Association for Higher Education, working closely with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. She went on to lead the Washington Office of the National Council of Teachers of English, retiring as its interim executive director in 2015.

Over the course of her career, she served as president of the Indiana Teachers of Writing, the National Council of Writing Program Administrators, and the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. She was a commissioner for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and a board member for the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation. With her son Darren, she co-led the Inter/National Coalition for Electronic Portfolio Research for over a decade.

Editor of the Journal of Teaching Writing for 20 years and member of the editorial board of Change Magazine, she published numerous professional articles, as well as co-authoring and co-editing several books. She also published the Larson Family Christmas letter, annually collecting and distributing updates from dozens of extended family members across the US and Sweden.

Barbara was an active member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Bloomington and Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington. At Foundry, she found spiritual community, developed enduring friendships, and contributed to the church’s social justice and congregational care ministries, including serving as its lay leader.

In addition to her work, family, and faith community, Barbara loved reading, theater, classical music, international travel, handmade baskets, and colorful fall leaves. She was a calm and steady presence who exuded kindness and always took time to listen carefully and respond with insight and compassion.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Richard Larson (d. 1981); mother, Esther Larson (née Crampton, d. 1997); and brother David Larson (d. 2022). She is survived by her sons Darren and Andy, grandsons Oliver (b. 2009) and Maxwell Cambridge (b. 2012), sister Brenda Howe (b. 1948) and brother Gary Larson (b. 1951).

Her memorial service will be held at noon on September 19, 2026, at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, where her remains will be interred. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Foundry in support of its social justice work.