Robert Lewis Carlson

Robert L. Carlson (Bob) passed away in Longmont, CO on Saturday, 31 August 2019. A loving husband and father, career army officer, humanitarian, community advocate, artist and outdoorsman, he enjoyed an adventurous and positive life.

Bob was born in Decatur, AL in July 1936 to Col. (Ret.) Robert Leonard Carlson and Velma (Clyde Norris) Carlson. As the son of a military family, he traveled extensively, living in Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Germany, where he graduated from Heidelberg High School.

He married Louise Simon (Lou) in 1962 in Annandale, VA and they lived in Auburn, AL where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and received his commission in the US Army. He also received a master’s degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Foreign service included Germany, Vietnam and Korea. Stateside assignments included Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, California, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and Kansas. He served as Tank Commander, Military Advisor, Professor of Military Science, Armor Officer, Operations and Force Development Officer and received commendations including a Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Oakleaf Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.

After retiring from the US Army, he continued as a Systems Analyst at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he and Lou spent 23 years. Service to country, family and community defined Bob’s life and he embodied those tenets in all that he did. After his second retirement, Bob and Lou moved to Longmont, CO, where they enjoyed restoring their 1902 home and being part of the Historic Eastside Neighborhood Association. As Chair, Bob promoted neighborhood activism and historic preservation. He also led hikes for the Longmont Senior Center and loved being a part of the Longmont community for over 20 years.

Bob spoke German, Vietnamese, Spanish and Russian, was a glass artisan and outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed hiking, swimming, biking, camping, skiing, and scuba diving. He also enjoyed attending reunions for both Heidelberg High and Lou’s Yokohama High School (YoHi) as well as rooting for his Auburn Tigers.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife and his parents. He will be deeply missed by daughter, Lisa Carlson and son-in-law Brad Emerick, grandchildren Blake and Brianna Emerick of Denver; son, Ron Carlson and daughter-in-law Kristina Binard Carlson, grandchildren Cameron and Connor Carlson, in-laws Andre and Ila Binard of Longmont; sister and brother-in-law Sandi and Bill Wilson of Webster, NY; brother’s-in-law Steve Simon of Farmville, VA and Stuart Simon of Boston, MA; 10 nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends and relatives across the country.

Bob will be interred at Mountain View Cemetery with wife, Lou. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, 14 September, at the Callahan House, 312 Terry St, Longmont, CO 80501. Family and friends are invited to attend the open house from 10:00am-1:00 pm with a service planned at 11:00 am.

Remembrances can be shared at www.howemortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Conference of World Affairs https://giving.cu.edu/fund/conference-world-affairs.