Robert Ernest Carlson

Robert Ernest Carlson, 91, of Denver, noted local architect and infantryman in the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division during World War II, passed away April 27, 2016, in Crockett, Texas. Mr. Carlson was born Dec. 6, 1924, in Denver to Milton Carlson and Augustine Walter Carlson. He graduated from Denver East High School in 1943, served in the elite 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army in Italy during the war, and returned to the area to earn a bachelor of science degree in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity during his CU days, and his fraternity brothers included CBS broadcaster Tom Brookshier; astronaut and U.S. Representative Jack Swigert; and Gerald Dick, comedian Tim Allen's father. He also was a member and lettered for the CU ski team. Mr. Carlson married Jane Waters in 1952 in Colorado Springs and was an architect with several prominent Denver and Boulder firms, including Hobart D. Wagner Associates. His notable designs included the Snoasis warming house and area manager's residence at the Winter Park ski resort, which he singlehandedly designed. He worked on other buildings locally, including the pyramid-shaped Darley Commons dining hail (now demolished) in the Williams Village dormitory complex at the University of Colorado Boulder. He also worked with actor Mickey Rooney on a proposed hotel, condominiums and several residences at Copper Mountain. He also served 21 years as local chairman of the Boulder Lions Club and served as president for a few years of those years. Mr. Carlson's interests included cross-country skiing and racewalking, and was prominently featured in an article in the Rocky Mountain News. He was also an instructor with the Eskimo Ski Club. He belonged to several organizations, including Front Range Walkers which he founded and wrote the newsletter for many years, 10th Mountain Division Alumni Association, the Governor's Council for Health Promotion and Physical Fitness, Boulder Lions Club, Denver East High School Angels Alumni Association, Colorado Master's Running Association, Rocky Mountain Orienteering Club, Rocky Mountain Road Runners and Construction Specifications Institute. He encouraged others to be physically active and wrote the book ";Healthwalk". He also ran numerous marathons after age 50, including the Pikes Peak Marathon (ascent) from 1975-1980, where he won first place for his age division in 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980. Mr. Carlson had a unique sense of humor throughout his life and displayed his artistic talents away from architecture, particularly oil painting, during his college years. Mr. Carlson is survived by his former wife, Jane, of Boulder; his brother Milton Carlson of Kalispell, Mont.: his daughter Tina Carlson of Albuquerque, N.M.; and sons Bob R. Carlson M.D., of Clinton, Iowa; Doug Carlson of Mill Valley, Calif.; Glenn Carlson of Fort Collins; and Jim Parys of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in west Africa. He is also survived by several grandchildren, including Mia Lin Carlson, Caitlyn Carlson, Betsy Carlson, Jamus Parys and Jane Parys. He is predeceased by his parents and brothers Walter Carlson, John Carlson II, sisters Barbara Carlson Denniston and Marilyn Carlson Schwan. Graveside services will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, May 6, at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division on behalf of Robert E. Carlson (86-L), located at 133 South Van Gordon Street, Ste. 200, Lakewood, Colorado 80228.