April 18, 1932 – Nov. 2, 2008

Richard Allen Carlson Dick from Bend, Oregon died from natural causes on Sunday, November 2 in Brawley, California. Brawley is close to Dick’s wintertime residence in Borrego Springs, Ca. Dick was 76 years of age.

Dick was born in Portland, Oregon on April 18, 1932. Ted and Irene Carlson were his parents. He had no siblings. At a young age Dick and his parents moved from Portland to Seattle. Later they moved on to Spokane. In the summer of 1948 when Dick was starting his junior year in high school his family moved to Bend. His parents had purchased a sign and billboard business. The business was renamed Carlson Sign Co. in 1948. Dick’s father, Ted, died 18 months after the move to Bend.

Dick graduated from the University of Oregon School of Business and Air Force ROTC in 1954. In 1955 while Dick was in pilot training, he married the love of his life, Mary Campbell, from Salem, Oregon on June 26. While serving in the Air Force Dick and Mary lived in Greenville, Mississippi, Panama City, Florida and Wadena, Minnesota. Dick continued in the Air Force Reserves for 23 years. During his final years he served as the eastern Oregon recruiting liason for the Air Force Academy. Dick retired from the Air Force, earning the rank of lieutenant colonel. Dick continued as a private pilot for many years, flying his family and friends on adventures throughout North America.

Dick and Mary moved back to Bend in 1957. Dick worked along with his mother, Irene, to grow Carlson Sign Co., which he later purchased in 1968. Dick first served on the Bend city council in the early 1960’s and then again in the late 70s. He was the mayor in 1979. He and his fellow city council members led the effort to finance and build the city’s sewer system. The sewer project, built through solid lava in many sections, paved the way for Bend to grow and prosper in later years.

Dick continually volunteered with many local efforts to improve Bend. He served on the Saint Charles Hospital board of directors and was one of the founding board members of the High Desert Museum, to name a couple.

Dick pursued his hobbies, interests, travels and friends with great vigor. Fishing was high on the list. In his last 20 years he chased steelhead trout with a flyrod with great enthusiasm.

Dick’s surviving family includes, his wife, Mary Carlson, his son, Ted and his family including Shannon and Kelly Flynn who live in Scottsdale, Arizona, his son, Peter, daughter-in-law, Patti and grandchildren, Jack and Kendall who live in Bend Oregon.

Dick was preceded in death by his father, Ted Carlson, mother, Irene Bostleman, and daughter, Mary Sue.

There will be a memorial service for Dick on November 10 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bend at 1:00 PM. A reception will be held at the church following the service.

The remembrance suggestion is the Mary Sue Carlson Memorial Endowed Scholarship c/o COCC Foundation, 2600 NW College Way, Bend, OR 97701.

Richard Dick Allen Carlson