He was born in Unionville, CT, to parents Carl and Minnie Carlson. Dick graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College and Hartford Theological Seminary.
He married his wife, Estelle, in 1954 and was ordained in 1955. In 1956 he and Estelle began services as Disciples of Christ missionaries to Thailand. He returned from the mission field in 1974. Dick felt called to a new area of service as a nursing home administrator and served of Methodist Manor in Branchville, NJ from 1977 until its closing. He was instrumental in the process of creating Bristol Glen in Newton, NJ.
Dick was a man of many interests and talents. He loved to bake and has probably baked and given away thousands of Christmas cookies. He sewed clothes and quilts, arranged flowers and decorated the Glen for Christmas for many years. He enjoyed painting as well. Dick had a lively sense of fun, was quick to tease and tell tall tales with a straight face. He was in all things a man of faith.
Dick was predeceased by his wife, Estelle; his parents; his two brothers, Charles and Louis; and his sister, Marian.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Carl and Beth, Kit and Bud, Bruce and Jamie, Keith and Nancy, Eric and Felicia; his daughters-in-law, Krista and Michele; his grandchildren, Justine, Ian, Kristen, Brett, Cristy, Brandon, Chelsea, and Paige; his great-grandchildren, Brycen, Sylas, Myles, Amelia, and Ethan. He is also survived by his cousin, Caroline Jacobs, her family, and many, many friends.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Celebration of Life will be at the First United Methodist Church, date and time details to come.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bristol Glen Spiritual Life Committee, 200 Bristol Glen Drive, Newton, NJ 07860.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
