Obituary of Richard S. Carlson

Richard "Dick" S. Carlson, Sr., of Ocala, FL and formerly of Marlborough, NH and Brattleboro, VT passed away on October 15 in his home at Ocala Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ocala following a period of failing health. Mr. Carlson was born in Arlington, MA on September 7, 1932 to Joseph W and Esther (Bohlin) Carlson. In his youth, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. Carlson graduated from Harvard University with a BA in Chemistry in 1953. On September 19, 1953, he married his only sweetheart, Ellen W. Granlund. They had celebrated 40 years of marriage prior to her passing in 1994. He served in the US Army, being awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He worked many years as a chemist for Markem Corporation in Keene, NH. Prior to his final retirement in 2001, he was employed by C. E. Bradley Labs of Brattleboro, VT. He was a Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 14 in Marlborough, NH for several years. He also served on the church council at Christ Lutheran Church in Troy, NH. He coached little league teams in Marlborough and Troy. In his early adult years he enjoyed playing basketball, softball, bowling, camping and fishing. His hobbies also included stamp and coin collecting, yard sales with his wife, and cribbage. He was a self-taught PC aficionado, enjoying investing, e-mail, researching his Swedish heritage, as well as establishing an alumni group for his high school alma mater, Medford High School in Medford, MA. Since relocating to the Ocala Health and Rehabilitation Center, the highlight of his days was spending time with his family, particularly the baseball games of his great grandsons, attending church and school productions and joining in family gatherings, especially at the lake. Though his health had declined to where he was not able to attend a game, he was pleased that his oldest great grandson would follow in his footsteps and play football this year. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah E. (Carlson) and husband Stanley Taylor as well as son, Richard S. Carlson, Jr., all of Ocala, FL, and daughter, Pamela A. (Carlson) and husband David Taylor of Lady Lake, FL.; grandchildren, Erik R. and wife Sarah Stone of SanTanValley, AZ, Erika L. (Stone) and husband Robert Menter of Silver Springs, FL; Leah P. Carlson, Ocala, FL; Chelsea G. Carlson, Tampa, FL; Jannelle M.Taylor and Dylan J. Taylor of Lady Lake, FL; great grandchildren, Joseph, Samuel and Joshua Menter of Silver Springs, FL; Olivia and Zachary Stone of San Tan Valley, AZ; a cousin, "lil brudder" Kenneth and wife Rosalie Carlson of Hyde Park, MA. His wife of 40 years preceded him in death in 1994. There will be a memorial service at St. John Lutheran Church , 1915 SE Lake Weir Avenue, Ocala, FL on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 1:00 PM Interment at West Battleboro Cemetery, West Battleboro, Vermont. Sentiments may be left online at www.hiers-baxley.com. HIERS-BAXLEY FUNERAL SERVICES 352-629-7171 entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Scandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham Street, West Newton, MA 02465