Lewis Herbert Carlson

Dr. Lewis Carlson, a professor of American History, a rare perfect blend of profound intellect, the greatest of decency, a quick wit, and a towering humanitarian passed away on February 6 at his Lakeway, Texas home. He was 87.

His legacy of inspired teaching, celebration of human connections, his concern for the greater good and relentless investment in community and family stands as testament to how one ought to live.

Kindness was central to his being. He often quoted Kurt Vonnegut, “There is one rule that I know of…you’ve got to be kind.” And he was every day of his life. Not one to anger or complain, always one to see the good in others, bolstering us with his words, he was a beacon of serenity in a chaotic world.

For him, we are first and foremost fellow human beings. He saw the person before the race, the religion, the nationality, the political persuasion. He believed good and decent people can come together and find common ground.

His eclectic group of friends will remember him for his love of lively conversation, peppered with sardonic humor, and if a dog or trout stream were in the mix, so much the better. He had a gift of inspiring more wit, intelligence, and reflection than we thought possible of ourselves.

His advice on living a good life, “Remain patient, read books, imbibe in fine spirits, continue to enjoy family and friends. Have confidence that you can do anything and be of good cheer.”

A political satirist, his correspondence made us laugh and consider the foibles, outlandishness, and questionable actions of our political leaders. Least we despair, he advised, “Dear friends, I am left with the suggestion that we outsiders drink more and better wine while giving passionate and supporting squeezes to those we love.”

As Alzheimer’s took his beautiful mind and timelines disappeared, cogent thoughts twisted, and his immense power with words diminished, what remained was his love and concern for his family as he continued to inquire about his grandchildren’s happiness and sought reassurance that he had done all he needed to do to take care of his family.

There was never self-pity nor complaint. “That couldn’t have gone better,” was his refrain after seeing his neurologist, when in truth further mental decline was noted. This was not a denial, but a philosophy – meet life where it finds you, see the good and act upon it.

Abhorring war, but recognizing valor, he wrote We Were Each Other’s Prisoners: An Oral History of World War II American and German Prisoners of War (1977) and Remembered Prisoners of a Forgotten War: An Oral History of Korean War POWs (2002). He also edited or co-wrote several memoirs with other POWs from these wars. His body of work speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, the human will to survive and the courage to endure.

Other publications include his memoir, Van Gogh’s Right Ear: Dissonant Chords for the Progeny and Tales of Gold: An Oral History of the Summer Olympic Games, co-authored with John Fogarty.

He valued a sense of community and was active with the Lakeway Friends of the Park and an early supporter of the dog park. In 2011, his history of Lakeway was published, Lakeway: A Hill Country Community.

He was born August 1,1934 in Muskegon, Michigan to Robert Levine and Margaret Carlson. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. He then served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, staying on to study at the University of Heidelberg. He obtained his PhD in history from Michigan State University. From 1965 to 1968, he taught at Ferris State College, where he challenged the administration by defending the black students’ campaign for civil rights. He then embarked on a long career at Western Michigan University. He frequently lectured and wrote of the evils of racism and in 1968 was one of the first to teach a course on African American history. In 1973, he won the Distinguished Teaching Award.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Simone Carlson, his daughter Ann Strand and her husband Chris, grandsons Greg Thomas and Bryce Thomas, and daughter Linda Levine, grandson Jake Dietz and granddaughter Megan Dietz and her husband Eric Ormsby. The family wishes to thank our caregiving team who enabled us to keep him at home, Cynthia Sanchez, Jennifer Paz, and Lorena Palomares.

Memorial contribution may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or ASPCA.

Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.DignityMemorial.com