Robert H. Carson Sr.

Athens, GA - Robert H. Carson, Sr., a longtime community volunteer whose career as a provider of financial services spanned decades of some of the most difficult changes in American economic times, died Sunday, October 17, 2004, at the age of 87. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, grew up in Belleville, and was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1938 with a major in economics and a minor in philosophy. After college, he joined Macy's in New York, becoming buyer of toys and then boy's clothing. Next, was service in the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant J. G. in the Washington, D.C. Office of Naval Intelligence, 1942-1945.
In 1943, Bob married Barbara Ruth Rounds of Auburn, Maine. The couple and three children moved to Athens in 1955, and Bob became executive vice president of Carwood Manufacturing in Winder, Georgia, before starting his own financial planning business, Carson and Associates with offices in the Southern Mutual Building. Then he joined with friends to begin the Athens Salesmen's Club.
He was a member of the Torch Club, the Athens City Club, the Athens Country Club, and Athens First United Methodist Church, where he was a youth Sunday School teacher, an official board member, and one of the teachers of the Tuck Sunday School class. He also taught economics as an adjunct at the University of Georgia and GED classes for the local school board. He was elected to Athens City Council for two terms, 1976-1979.
As a volunteer, he served as president of Athens Cancer Society, Athens Mental Health Association, Athens Council on Aging, Northeast Georgia Development Corporation, and Athens Symphony, and as treasurer of the Northeast Georgia Girl Scouts and founding member of Athens Business Council. He was one of the founders of the Athens Family Counseling Service and its president for several years, and he was an early and active supporter of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their five children, spouses, and thirteen grandchildren: Carol Carson Vale and Darrel, and Jeanne, Todd, Sylvia, David, Geoffrey, Joshua, and Joe, Charlotte, NC; Christina Carson, Columbia, SC; Robert Carson, Jr. and Teresa, and Eve and Andrew, Athens; Mary Abigail Carson Young, and Kelley, Stone Mountain; Mark Carson and Issel, and Christopher, Isabelle, and Caroline, Atlanta; one great grandchild, several nephews, and a niece.
The family will receive visitors from 5-7 on Thursday at Bernstein's Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 on Friday, October 22, at Athens First United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Athens Family Counseling Service, Inc., 1435 Oglethorpe Drive, Athens, GA 30606.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.
Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.onlineathens.com
Athens Banner-Herald, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004