Robert Eugene Carlson

September 19, 1936 - January 17, 2023

SAN DIEGO — Robert E. Carlson, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family in his home of 63 years, from natural causes.

Bob grew up in Blue Island, Illinois and earned his engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1957. It was there he met the love of his life Evelyn D. Saam and they married in 1958. They enjoyed 46 years of marriage until her sudden passing in 2004 while doing what she loved jogging with her friends.

They raised six wonderful kids together in San Diego and shared many adventures introducing their kids to travel and camping. He was in involved in the Boy Scouts for over 30 years helping young men grow and teaching backpack training in his later years with his two comrades Ari and Fred.

Bob worked at General Dynamics for over 30 years. While he couldn’t talk about his work due to Cold War restrictions, he was very proud of his accomplishments. He really was a rocket scientist!

Bob valued education and saw to it that his children had a good education and enrolled in college. Bob also made sure his grandchildren had the same opportunity, helping send four through college.

In his later years, Bob enjoyed hosting family get togethers in his loving home and BBQ’S at Mission Bay.

A dedicated Green Bay Packers fan, he quickly adopted the San Diego Chargers as his home town team. He attended championship games in the old Balboa Stadium when seats were $5.00-$10.00, and occasionally after that at Jack Murphy Stadium when the Packers were in town! Disappointed year after year, never winning a Super Bowl ring, maybe he can help from above now! I know he’ll still be rooting them on! He also enjoyed watching college football and basketball. The Tour De France was never missed.

Bob enjoyed tracing his family roots. Every Thursday evening he would take a trip down to the genealogy Library. During several trips to Europe he would do a little research at churches and visit the cemeteries he discovered while researching.

Bob was larger than life. With his 6’5” 255 lb. frame he towered over most people but he was soft spoken. He could be seen bicycling to work to save gas AND get some exercise. He wore out two Nordic Track skiing simulator exercise machines.

Bob also taught his sons how to work on cars. From an early age his sons helped with auto maintenance. When they got older and bought their own cars, they learned how to customize them, taking lessons learned from Bob and applying their own creativity.

Bob joins his wife Evie, his parents Elmer and Gladys (Granold), and his daughter Julie in heaven. He is survived by his children Curt (Marie), Greg (Judy), Karen Forde (Forrest), Chris (Carol), Stephanie Crandall (Tim) and grandchildren Justin Binder, Robert and Ross (Sonie) Makoske, Taylor (Andy) Carlson Kreysa, Davis Goodman and twins Nicole and Morgan Crandall, and greatgrandchildren Michael and Morrison Binder.

The family would like to thank the team at Sharp Hospice and 1st Meridian Care Services for their care and guidance throughout this difficult process.

Services will be held 10:00am March 4, 2023 at St. Columba Catholic Church, 3337 Glencolumn Drive, San Diego, CA 92123.

Donations can be made to St. Columba Church where he was a member of the parish for 60 years. Reception immediately following in the parish hall.

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