Robert Lee Carlson

Robert Lee Carlson, age 92, of Kennesaw, died Saturday, February 25, 2017. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, March 4, 5pm at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home in Kennesaw Dr. Richard Nelson officiating. Family and friends are cordially invited to visit with the family on Saturday the 4th beginning at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dr. Carlson to the Redeemer Lutheran Church at 731 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30308.

Dr. Carlson was the son of Swedish immigrants. He and his sister Doris Carlson were the first of their family to attend college, and Dr. Carlson went on to earn a PhD from Ohio State University in metallurgy. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart after being wounded in action in Belgium It was because of the G.I. Bill, the first major package of federal benefits for veterans, that he was able to pursue his higher education. After working in the field of metallurgy for several years, Dr. Carlson joined the field of aerospace engineering, teaching first at Stanford University and then moving to Georgia Tech University to serve on the faculty of that school’s new aerospace department. He continued to serve as Professor at Georgia Tech for twenty-five years until his retirement. An accomplished writer, Dr. Carlson wrote two academic books and numerous publications. A man of faith, he was member of Redeemer Lutheran Church for many years.

Survivors include his wife of sixty six years Betty Carlson of Kennesaw; sons – David and wife Shawn Carlson of College Station, TX, Richard and wife Yelena Carlson of Houston, TX, Dr. Robert Carlson, Jr. of Kennesaw; daughters – Karen and husband Russell Goddard of Valdosta, Carol and husband Randall Rekoske of Acworth. There are also twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild that survive.