Andrew Carlson

1966 - 2021

Andrew (Andy) Carlson
June 16, 1966 - September 5, 2021
Olympia, Washington - Andrew (Andy) David Carlson passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack on Sunday, September 5, 2021, in Winnemucca, Nevada, while on vacation with his parents. He was 55.
Andy was born on June 16, 1966, in Olympia, Washington. He graduated from the Timberline High School in 1984 and the Washington State University in 1989. He held a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management, and began working for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) after graduation. Andy was an Environmental Planner in WDFW's Habitat Program working for 33 years in three of the six WDFW Regions and headquarters on fish passage, forest practices, integrated landscape management, priority habitats and species, and most recently on oil spill prevention and response.
Andy married Cathy Wolfenbarger in 1992 and settled in Olympia with Cathy and her son Andrew Campbell. Their son David Carlson was welcomed into the world in 1994. Andy's love of wildlife and the out-of-doors was passed down to Andrew and David, who spent hours walking in the woods hunting, collecting rocks in the nearby creeks, and playing baseball and basketball. Andy coached his son and step-son in youth basketball and baseball. Andy helped coach David in Black Hills Baseball all the way through the Cal Ripken World Series. He managed the WDFW volunteer group for over 30 years, providing wood to low-income elderly. Andy and Cathy divorced in 2002, but remained close friends. They enjoyed raising David, talking daily, and sharing family holidays together.
In addition to David, Andy is survived by his father and mother, Donald Lee Carlson and Susan Heckendorf Carlson, as well as his brother Matthew Carlson, his wife Rebecca Carlson and their two children McKenzie Carlson and Samuel (Sam) Carlson.
All are welcome to the memorial service, to be held at Hidden Creek Community Church, 1807 9th Avenue SW, Olympia, Washington, on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 11 a.m. It will be a time to share memories with the family and celebrate Andy's friendship and life. A reception will immediately follow at the Black Lake Grange, 6011 Black Lake Boulevard SW, Olympia Washington.
Please send memorial donations to one of the following: Volunteer Services/CCS – Wood Bank, 3545 7th Avenue SW, Suite T-004, Olympia, WA 98502, or the Ecosystems Scholarship Fund (www.Ecoscholarfund.org)