Richard William Carlson passed away suddenly on June 14, 2015 at age 94, from a heart attack. Orphaned young, he was raised by his grandparents, the ELERSIKS, in Laclede.Idaho. Through his public school days he assumed their surname.The Elersik family had large timer and milling interests in Minnisota and Idaho.
After High School, he joined the Army. He was at Pearl Harbour on the fatal day of the Japanese bombing and liked to tell the story of running across the field when he looked up straight into the eyes of a Japanese pilot who was straffing the Air Field. The Pilot, perhaps feeling that they were both caught in an unfortunate situation, passed right by Dick served in various bases in the South and central Pacific through the War mostly building air bases.
After the war, he returned to Logging and was a well known faller with great accuracy Dick worked with a refugy committee at he Untinaraian Church helping several families settle in the USA.
He was a long time companion of Marion West and her family.
A Memorial service will be held for Richard Carlson at the Woodland Park, Section 7, July 17 at 2:30 afternoon. Everyone is invited to come.