Robert Edwin Carlson

Robert Edwin (“Bob”) Carlson passed away on Saturday, October 17th surrounded by family at the age of 65. Bob was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 24, 1950 to the late Edwin and Verna Carlson and was raised with two brothers, Ron and Regan Carlson. Bob graduated from Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona, with high honors, and graduated from the University of Utah with an English degree, magna cum laude, in 1973. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in 2004.

Bob lived in Arizona where he grew the family business, Glendale Welding Company, for thirty years. After leaving Glendale Welding and Arizona in 2009, Bob and his wife Penny became residents of Corsicana, Temple, and most recently, College Station, Texas. While in Texas, Bob served as a business mentor with the Small Business Development Center in Waco, Texas, as an adjunct professor at Navarro and Temple Colleges, and most recently, he served as a business management mentor to graduate and doctoral students at Western Governor’s University.

In addition to his success as a business man, mentor, and teacher, Bob was also a prolific musician, author, artist, and church member. He wrote and published articles in Arizona Magazine, Pumper Magazine, and others. He also started Penbob Publishing LLC and wrote and published several books, including HP 388977, Three Million Chips, Frag’s Finale, several children’s books, and the musical play Rat Racer, which ran in Prescott, Arizona in May 1995.

Bob loved nothing more than spending time with his family, making music, and a good joke. Most importantly, he will be remembered as a devoted family man – a loving husband, a proud father of five, and grandfather of two. He is survived by his wife, Penny Carlson, his five children, Joseph, Bobby, Sarah, Mandy, and Atti, his two grandchildren, Chloe and Ella, his children-in-law Deni Carlson, Josh Barker, and Kobelah Bennah, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends all over. He is also survived by his two brothers, Ron and Regan.

Family and friends will gather on Wednesday, October 21st for a visitation and memorial service at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 2901 Texas Ave S, College Station, TX 77845. The visitation will begin at 1 pm, the Memorial Service will be held at 2 pm, and the internment will follow at Wellborn Cemetery. Those who would like to honor Bob’s memory may send donations to Neema House, a charity close to Bob’s heart. Gifts can be sent online at http://www.neemavillage.org/Sponsor_a_Baby_Donate.html or by check to Neema House, P. O. Box 21553, Waco, TX 76702. The family can be reached at 11500 N. Dowling Road, College Station, Texas 77845.