Richard A. Carlsen

Dr. Richard A.Carlsen, 85, passed away at his home in Dowagiac, MI, on May 13, 2013. Dr. Carlsen was born on March 9, 1928, to Carl & Lena (Lind) Carlsen in San Francisco, CA. He was their seventh son. He is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Doris Carlsen, a son Steven (Alma) Carlsen I, three daughters ; Dianna (Paul) Runnals, Cynthia (Darryl) Kotanko, Carol (Robert) King, ten grandchildren; Steven ll (Jessica) , Brendan (Tara) & Christopher (Jessica) Carlsen, Alicia (Paul) Meyer, Cherri (Lawrence) DeYoung, Adam, Joel (Ali), Levon, Lonnie & Sara Kotanko; nine great- grandchildren, one brother, Ralph Carlsen & his sister Helen Rogers, both of CA. Five of his brothers preceded him in death. He attended Golden Gate Academy in Berkely CA & Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA. After graduation he taught school in Texas until he was drafted into the service during the Korean War. He spent two years in the service, after which he returned to Pacific Union College to work on a Master’s degree. Richard’s brother encouraged him to apply to the College of Osteopathy & Surgery in Kansas City Missouri to study medicine. He met his wife Doris Bennett in Kansas City, MO, and they were married at the end of his second year in professional school in 1956. He interned in Clare, Michigan, and practiced in Portland, Oregon for eight years; then was a missionary to Rwanda, Central Africa for five years. After returning to the USA, Dr. Carlsen settled in Portland, Maine to take a surgical residency, which he did not complete due to health reasons, and was influenced by Dr. Charles Koudele to come to Dowagiac, MI. He started practice in Dowagiac in 1973 and retired in 1997. Dr. Carlsen enjoyed his family, reading, church, painting (water color, acrylic & oil), wood working, (he had a complete wood working shop), kayaking, his profession, those he worked with, and those he worked for, and gardening (even though he did not have a green thumb). As far back as he could remember; Dr. Carlsen loved cowboy related items including cowboy songs, cowboy boots, cowboy hats, barns, horses, saddles, and the great outdoors. He loved music particularly religious and Cowboy Western. Though he never could play well, he took lessons for years on the guitar, trumpet, and piano, and practiced faithfully, longing for heaven where he will make beautiful music, and not just a joyful noise. Some of his favorite foods were: lemon meringue pie, artichokes, avocados, green beans, and corn on the cob-it had to be on the cob! As well as various fresh fruits & vegetables. He enjoyed making pies and baking bread. He loved sharing Jesus, healthy living and homemade bread with others. Services will be held Friday, May, 17, 2013, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, on Hill St. in Dowagiac, MI, at 6P.M. Visitation will occur one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Richard Carlsen’s name to: HEARTLAND HOSPICE SERVICES, 8075 Creekside Drive, Portage, MI. 49024 or CHRISTIAN RECORD SERVICES for the BLIND, P.O. Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506-0097. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Dr. Carlsen at www.yazel-clark.com.