Theodore "Ted" Carlson

Ted H. Carlson passed away after a short illness on Feb. 7, 2024. He was 97 years old. Born on Dec. 26, 1926, Ted lived a rich life, filled with many interests, adventures and a large and loving family. He was sharp and active till the end, giving advice to his grandkids from his hospital bed the day before he died. Ted was always working on a new project, an article idea or "a way to improve things." Theodore Harold Carlson was born December 26, 1926 in Burlington, Iowa to Hilmer Carlson (a draftsman) and Esther Carlson (a nurse). He had an idyllic childhood (as chronicled in his WordPress blog, "A Boy's Adventures") growing up in Aurora, Illinois; skinny dipping in Blackberry Creek, sneaking into ball games, playing outside with his dog Pal and his best friend Jesse from dawn to dusk. HIs parents struggled to make ends meet during the Depression, but little Teddy had a grand time. Ted graduated from high school in 1944 when he was still 17. He couldn't serve his country in WWII until he turned 18, so he enrolled in one semester of college far across the country, Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon. He joined the Navy and by a stroke of luck, checked the box that he played the drums. He was assigned to play in the USS HERSEY swing band, in addition to his duties as Gunner's Mate 1st Class. He claimed being assigned to that ship was a stroke of luck; the ship that the rest of his boot camp buddies went to suffered intense attacks and many were killed and/or wounded. After the war ended, Ted returned to OSC. His plans to major in forestry evolved to an interest in journalism. He was a columnist and the sports editor of the Barometer. He was a proud member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Upon graduation, Ted took a ship to Europe with some buddies. On that ship, he met the love of his life, a recent St. Olaf grad, Swanhild (Swannie) Hoidahl. After backpacking around Europe for six months, he returned to the USA, courted and married Swannie, and worked as a reporter in Coos Bay. He then got a job at Oregon State as Associate Alumni Director and editor of the Oregon Stater alumni magazine. He earned his Master's from UO and was then hired as a professor of journalism and advisor to the Barometer. He retired in 1988. Ted was a gifted athlete and passionate about sports. He played tennis regularly until he was 87. He was one of the founders of Timberhill Tennis Club. In addition to being a drummer, Ted was a great whistler, a harmonica player and a gut-bucket plucker. He was active at Grace Lutheran Church and volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital, editing their newsletter. He was a longtime member of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association and owned land near Adair Village. He loved to fish. Ted adored big band music, books and movies about World War II, and reading any book - quirky, old, obscure - that piqued his interest. His love of food was part of his zest for life; he especially enjoyed oysters, seafood, ribs, and cherry pie. Chopping wood and building roaring fires gave him much joy. After Swannie passed away in 2016, Ted moved to Carman Oaks Independent Living in Lake Oswego to be closer to family. He embraced life there, organizing events, starting a poetry club and then a harmonica band. He corresponded with friends around the world and never forgot a friend or family member's birthday. Ted passed on his sense of humor and love of joking to his family. He made us laugh all the time. He was kind, steady and confident. The love he had for us shone forth. He truly lived up to his name: Theodore, "gift from God". Ted is survived by his three children: Ted (Wendy), Judy (Duane) and Eric (Kari), his eight grandchildren: Annette (Jimmy), Neil, Evan, Britt (Brandon), Siri (Andrew), Paige (Peter), Andrew (Adrienne) and Camille (Daniel) and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his beloved big sister, Virginia Kipper, two nephews; Bob (Julie) Kipper and Rick Kipper; niece Janet Shattuck and her daughter Jaelin. Ted also had a special relationship with Mary and Orn Bodvarsson (he played Cupid!) and their sons. Donations in Ted's name can be made to Grace Lutheran Church or OSU's Alumni Association. A memorial service for him will be held at Grace Lutheran Church on February 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.

Theodore "Ted" Carlson

December 26, 1926 - February 7, 2024