Richard Carlson

RICHARD CARL ‘DICK’ CARLSON (89) died unexpectedly at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Maine, on September 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Richard Carlson was born July 5, 1935, in Gardner, Massachusetts. He was the son of Hazel Margaret (Connors) and Helmer John Carlson. Dick attended public school in Athol, Gardner, and Westminster, Massachusetts, graduating from Fitchburg High School in June 1953. He married his bride, Merlene Faye Bowden on December 30, 1959, in Ellsworth, Maine. Together they lived an adventurous and loving life of 64 years. Upon graduating from high school, Dick entered the United States Navy on May 3, 1954, enlisting in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated from Boot Camp in Bainbridge, Maryland, with orders to Imperial Beach, California where he graduated from Radio School in April 1955. His first overseas duty station was at Kami Seya, Japan. Two years there included TAD trips on the USS BENNINGTON (CVA-20) and USS ORISKANY (CVA-34) where he visited all major cities in Japan, Manila, Philippine Islands and Hong Kong, China. He served the Naval Security Group at the Joint Processing Center, Sobe, Okinawa, and later at the newly established base at Futenma, of which he was a plank owner. He attended a variety of service schools for special training during his naval career. His Navy career included duty at Winter Harbor, Maine (twice), Det-28 at Karamursel, Turkey, Nicosia, Cyprus, Imperial Beach, California, USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5) and Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico. He retired as a CTR1 from USNSGA WINTER HARBOR, MAINE in October 1973. Dick was entitled to wear the following ribbons and medals: Purple Heart, Good Conduct (5 awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon (2 awards), Navy “E” Ribbon, and Navy Overseas Service Ribbon. He was awarded the State of Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medal by the Honorable John D. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine. Dick served NCVA for many years as the Back-issues agent for CRYPTOLOG, Assistant Editor for Special Publications, NCVA Obituary Editor and was primarily responsible for soliciting, receiving, editing, and organizing all biographies for the NCVA ECHO book. He digitalized all 900+ biographies from the original NCVA History Book, and many of the USNSGA WINTER HARBOR ACADIAN semi-monthly newspapers. He was an NCVA proofreader for CRYPTOLOG, Special Publications as well as the History of USNSGA WINTER HARBOR written by LCDR David Phaneuf USN (Ret). Following retirement from active service, Dick settled in Winterport, Maine with his growing family. He worked in the banking industry retiring 16 years from Key Bank of Maine as a Vice President and Operations Officer. He also retired from the University of Maine after 13 years of service. He was a past member of the Ellsworth, Maine Kiwanis. He was a life member in NCVA (Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association). He held current memberships in the LVA (Liberty Veterans Association), The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, United States Navy Memorial Association and The Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc. He was an ordained Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ Restoration Branch where he shared his wisdom and inspiration throughout the congregation including Camp Winniauguamauck, Brooksville, Maine. He immensely enjoyed and treasured the many family gatherings camping and traveling throughout New England and along the East Coast. He also enjoyed attending military affiliations, reading historical novels, photography, touring, sailing, and daily email correspondence with his fellow shipmates. Dick was preceded in death by his parents: Helmer and Hazel (Connors) Carlson, and Stepfather, Carl Hill. He is survived by his wife, Merlene of Winterport, his Sons, David (Katharine Dearborn) of Cumberland, Maine, and Eric (Jennifer LaFerte) of Dedham, Maine, and Daughter, Katherine of Winterport, Maine. He leaves behind five adoring grandchildren: Joshua Aaron, Emily Anne, Sam Michael, Sara Grace and Lily Margaret; and relatives. Dick was a very inspirational and humorous person who not only doted on his family but embraced everlasting bonds of friendships with people around the World including writing letters to military GIs serving active duty. His sign off in e-mail was “You can’t change the winds, but you can adjust your sails. Oh God, thy sea is so big and my boat is so small” which is a philosophy he practiced in life. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Richard Carl Carlson can be sent to The Navy Memorial at https://www.navymemorial.org/ .
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.