Robert "Bob" Elof Carlson

Robert Elof Carlson

Our dad, “Sweet Old Bob”, (SOB), ‘closed up shop’ on 08/11/2021 at 98 years old. He was the child of Ruth (d. 1964) and Elof Carlson (d. 1984) and the brother to Florence Totten (d. 2005) and Dorothy Hurwitch (d. 1994).

SOB was proud to be a life-long resident of Rockford and supported the community in ways too numerous to count. As a boy, he would ride his bike to Winnebago to work on his Uncle Johnny’s farm and learned how to hunt and fish. He was in the first graduating class of East High School in 1940. Bob enlisted in the Army Air Force shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, learned to fly B-17’s and became one of the youngest flight instructors to date. While stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Bob met our mom, Marguerite Heim, who worked in the communications office. He introduced himself as an Admiral in the Swedish Navy on special assignment. It was the beginning of a long and loving 73-year marriage and missed her every day since her passing in April of 2018. He started his career at Sundstrand and remained there for over 47 years. He began as a mail room clerk and retired as the Director of Corporate Conduct & Ethics, the corporate priest as he called it.

Bob was a mentor before it was defined. All those he interacted with learned from him – a true leader by example. Whether our dad, a family member, a Boy Scout Leader, a boss, or a friend, there were so many lessons that he shared. Some of his Scouts say to this day that he was instrumental in their becoming quality human beings. Our dad shared with us his appreciation & respect of God’s creation by teaching us how to hunt for morel mushrooms, identify wildflowers, fish (which required extreme patience as we were as squirmy as the worms) and identify the stars in the sky. He made us laugh and pulled numerous pranks on us and so many others! Everyone will remember SOB for his sense of humor & story-telling. Bob was a man of great conviction & faith and lived them every day. He was very active in the congregations of Salem (first Boy Scout Troop #3), Mount Olive and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches. He volunteered and served on the boards of many charitable organizations in Rockford, ‘no’ was not in his vocabulary.

Bob was a grandpa & uncle 3 times over and he loved them all very much. Since he could not get out, he would always ask about them and enjoyed hearing their stories and seeing their pictures. Bob was especially close to his grandson Lucas (d. 2006). They loved each other so very much. Since Magie’s passing, Bob would make his daily calls to family and friends checking to see how people were doing and felt that it was his job to make sure all were okay.

We would like to thank Heartland Hospice (especially Pam), Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and Alpine Fireside for the care and support of our dad. Their respect and love mean so much to us. We would also like to thank all of his friends for staying in touch and caring about him. Thanks too to our cousin Bev Richmond for being there when we could not.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for two things, one being optional. First, and this is not an option, please honor Bob by treating all with respect, love and kindness, even if you do not know them. This is how Bob lived his life and the best way to honor him. If you choose to make a donation in his honor, the following are organizations that Bob loved: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, https://www.oslcrockford.com; Severson Dells, https://www.seversondells.com; Heartland Hospice, Heartland Hospice Services of Rockford - ProMedica Hospice; and VetsRoll, https://www.vetsroll.org

A celebration of life will be hosted by his 3 daughters and son-in-law, Sue & Dennis Barrett, Jean Kathryn Carlson and Cindy Carlson at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 20, 2021, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St. Rockford. A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. Inurnment will be in the Our Savior’s columbarium. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.