Berger H. Carlson MD

Berger H. Carlson, MD died suddenly Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, at the age of 94. Dr. Carlson was born in Northfield, July 25, 1921, the son of Nils and Marion (Sanborn) Carlson. He attended Concord schools, graduating from Concord High in 1939. He was co-captain of his football team during his senior year and also lettered in hockey and tennis. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1943, attended Dartmouth Medical School and received his MD degree from Northwestern University Medical School in 1945.

He interned at Cook County Hospital from 1945 to 1946 then spent two years of active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948, most of which was spent as continuous sea duty highlighted by a chance to see the world and to carry out a half-dozen appendectomies at sea under various conditions. Dr. Carlson was a surgical resident at Cook County Hospital from 1948 to 1952 which included a fellowship with the American Cancer Society in breast surgery.

For the next 42 years Dr. Carlson was a solo practicing surgeon at Concord Hospital. During that time he performed both the first pneumonectomy for cancer and the first successful ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm ever done at the Concord Hospital.

He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Board of Surgery. He was a former president of both the medical staff at the Concord Hospital and the Merrimack County Medical Society.

After retiring from surgery in 1993, Dr. Carlson was very active in the managing of Carlson's Motor Sales, the automobile dealership founded by his father in 1937.

In June of 1959, he married the love of his life and his "angel", Marilyn Ramsdell. They were the proud parents of five children. He was an avid tennis player, participating in New England Senior tournaments. Berger and Marilyn's favorite get-away was their summer cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee. In later years they enjoyed spending winters at the Hillsboro Club in Florida. They also spent many happy evenings together playing cribbage and other card games. He never lost his competitive spirit.

Dr. Carlson took great pride and joy in his children's sporting endeavors. He also enjoyed several years of coaching Concord Youth Hockey teams and took great interest in following the many players further hockey careers.

In 1996 Dr. Carlson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After a successful Whipple procedure, he beat all odds and survived another 19 years.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of 56 years and four of their five children, David of Concord, Kent of Concord and his son, Christopher, Linda Pratt (Tom) of Mount Hermon, Mass. and their sons, Kevin and Derek, Holly Carlson Jaworski (Tony) of Warner and their sons Brendan and Ryan; and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his daughter, Jill and a sister, Norma Johnson.

Calling hours are Sunday, Sept. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main St., Concord.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Sept. 21, at 10 a.m. at the South Congregational Church, 27 Pleasant St., Concord, followed by a burial at the Blossom Hill Cemetery, North Main Street, Concord.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Carlson's name to the Concord Hospital Trust, Concord Youth Hockey or the Pope SPCA in Concord.

The Bennett Funeral Home of Concord is in charge of the arrangements. Messages of condolences may be offered at bennettfuneral.com.