Dr. Robert E. Carlson

Dr. Robert E. Carlson of Media, formerly of West Chester Robert E. Carlson, 91 of Media, died Thursday May 16, 2013, at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media. He was the husband of the late Marjorie Sprengel Carlson with whom he had shared 61 years of marriage. Born in Johnstown, Pa., he was the son of the late Thomas L. Carlson, Sr. and the late Mary Nelson Carlson. Robert was 1943 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in 1943 and honorably discharged in 1946. He was an officer on the destroyer USS Hambleton (DD-455). In June 1944 he was part of the Normandy Invasion and part of the antisubmarine patrol in the Mediterranean. In 1945 near Okinawa he was on radar duty and in late August of 1945 his ship entered Tokyo Bay. Robert remained in the Naval Reserve until the mid 1960's attaining the rank of Commander After the war, Robert earned his Master's in 1948, then his Doctorate degree in history in 1954 at the University of Pittsburgh. His teaching career was at the University of Pittsburgh from 1947-1961 where he was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society. In 1961 he accepted a position as a Professor of History at the then West Chester State Teachers College, now West Chester University where he taught U.S. history, history of civilization, history of technology and the senior seminar. He was active in the faculty senate, faculty union and chaired the History Department for many years, before retiring in 1983 as Professor Emeritus. A longtime member of Calvary Lutheran Church he served on church council. He served on the Board of the Chester County Historical Society. In 1982 Robert led Chester County's Tri-Centennial Celebration in conjunction with the Chester County Historical Society and the Chester County Commissioners. He was an author of many books on Chester and Delaware County history in addition to numerous articles. His memberships included the AHA (American Historical Association) and the PHA (Pennsylvania Historical Association) and many others. After retirement, he and his wife Marjorie moved to Granite Farms Estates where they were instrumental in founding the "Steinway Piano Program" including the purchase of a piano and coordinating the frequent performances. They both enjoyed traveling to elder hostel programs and also enjoyed preparing and delivering programs on historical subjects and events at Granite Farms Estate and elsewhere. He is survived by his son, Neal Carlson and his wife Maureen, of West Chester; daughter, Valerie Klimowicz and her husband Michael of Levittown, Pa.; grandchildren, Brynn Carlson Lange (Henry), Graig Carlson (Kim), Michael Klimowicz, and Eric Klimowicz, and four great-grandsons. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Evelyn Sprengel and sister-in-law Gladys Carlson, a niece and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother, Thomas L. Carlson, Jr. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Service, 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 730 S. New Street, West Chester, PA 19382, where visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Interment will be held in the Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery West Chester. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran at the above address and/or Chester County Historical Society, 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380. Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.