Dr. Dennis J. Carlson

Dr. Dennis J. Carlson 79, of Swanzey, NH, died suddenly at home on Sept. 28, 2012. The love of his life, Susan, was there for him at the very end, and always, during their 58 years together. He was a strong and loving man, with a playful sense of humor and a kind and generous heart. A retired physician, Dennis enjoyed spending time with his family, cooking, traveling, and relaxing at home by the fire with his best friend, Susan, and his cat, Buddy.

Dennis was born and raised in Jamestown, NY, the son of Eunice Varley and J. Ewald Carlson. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemistry at Wooster College and his Doctorate of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. He served in the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in the early 1960s. In 1964, he completed his medical residency at Dartmouth Medical School. During the late 1960s through mid-70s, he served as the Northeast Regional Commissioner for the Inspection and Accreditation program for clinical laboratories for the College of American Pathologists. In the mid-70s, he served three terms as Speaker of the House for the New Hampshire Medical Society.

He was a board-certified pathologist in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Nuclear Medicine and Forensic Medicine. He practiced at New Hampshire hospitals in Keene, Hanover and Exeter, and Massachusetts hospitals in Newburyport and Amesbury. He was the co-founder of Seacoast Pathology. For several years before New Hampshire established a centralized medical examiner system, Dennis (“Doc”) served as the medical examiner across much of southern New Hampshire.

Despite the demands of his work, Dennis always took time to support the interests and activities of his wife and children. He loved to travel with family to Chautauqua Institution in western New York, Canyonlands in Utah and the North Shore of Minnesota. He loved boating and fishing for stripers and blue fish in Great Bay near Portsmouth, N.H. and near the Isles of Shoals. He was a devoted husband, an excellent father, a role model and a dear friend.

In addition to his wife Susan, Dennis is survived by five children, their partners, and five grandchildren, including Sid Carlson and her partner, Peter Winters, of Edmonton, Canada; Jan and Ann Carlson of Virginia and New York; Heather and Andy Tinkham of Minnesota; Tracy McKee of Connecticut; and Laura and Jack Chen of New Hampshire. He also leaves grandchildren John, Allie, Mandy, Elisa and Michael.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. Family and friends are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Mary’s Kitty Korner cat shelter, PO Box 418, Pleasant Valley, CT 06063; or the Non-game and Endangered Wildlife Program at 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or the Special Olympics of New Hampshire, 650 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101.