Robert Reinhold Carlson

Born and raised in Denver; son of Robert G. and Jean H. Carlson; brother to Stephen (Diane) and Rick Carlson; father of Erika Warzel (Zach); Mallory Carlson (Andrew Stone); grandfather to Corrina and Rye Warzel; Uncle to Dan (Laura) Carlson and great-uncle to Spencer Carlson.

Husband of 41 years to Wendy Carlson.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, December 19, 2014 at Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W. 32nd Ave., Golden, CO 80401 at 10:30 am.

To know him was to love him. Bob was a man of many interests and talents: English sports cars, toy trains, wine, astronomy, geology, chemistry, downhill and cross-country skiing, auto-cross and car ralleys, mountain climbing, camping, cross-country road trips with his family, walking hand-in-hand with his wife, trekking the hills, pondering why and how, acting silly, laughing and making others laugh, taking things apart and putting them back together leaving few parts of unknown function behind, napping, hugging friends and family and sometimes people he didn't know all that well, reading the comics, designing and constructing whimsical toy train layouts, treating others as he liked to be treated, lunches with long-time friends, all of nature, homemade raspberry pie, jazz, all Star Trek TV series, oh - and crinkle-top molasses cookies.

A third-generation Coloradoan, Bob grew up in Denver graduating from South High School and Colorado College. He earned a degree in chemistry after being discouraged to major in geology due to a poor job market in that field. Later he attended Colorado School of Mines to become a geologist with the U. S. Geological Survey after having first worked there as a chemist. He retired after 35 years of service.

Bob is predeceased by his parents, Robert G. and Jean H. Carlson, and sister, Karen.

He and his wife, Wendy, celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on November 24 (an adventurous, loving, fruitful, often exasperating, union). His daughters gave him the most joy from all else; Erika Warzel with husband Zach and their children Corrina and Rye from Denver along with Mallory Carlson and her husband, Andrew Stone, from Egham, England.

Donations may be made to:

Jefferson Unitarian Church,

14350 W. 32nd Ave.

Golden, CO 80401

Colorado Railroad Museum

17155 West 44th Avenue

Golden, CO 80403

League of Women Voters

1425 Brentwood Street

Lakewood, CO 80214