Robert Carlson

Bob Carlson was a “people person” who lived out his Christian faith by helping others in any way he was most needed. Most importantly, he loved his family, often holding the hand of each loved one as a meaningful gesture of his devotion.

Born on December 16, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to Hugo and Ellen (Lilgendahl) Carlson, Bob was the youngest of five children. Hugo and Ellen worked hard to raise Bob along with his older siblings: Helen, Marjorie, Fred and Janet. Hugo supported the family as a machinist while Ellen stayed at home to run the household. Both Swedish, they raised Bob in the close-knit Swedish community of Rogers Park, attending the Swedish Covenant Church. The Great Depression and the World War II years that followed Bob’s birth were instrumental in forming the strong work ethic of Bob’s generation. Being the youngest meant that Bob received attention, not only from his parents, but from his older siblings as well. Bob’s athletic ability was evident at a young age. At Senn High School, he was an All-City center on the football team, quite a feat for a school with over 5,000 students. After graduating from high school, Bob went to Northwestern University on a football scholarship where he played his freshman year. He finished up his college education by earning a bachelor’s degree in business at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington where he also played football.

It was at Illinois Wesleyan where friends set Bob up on a blind date with a pretty young nurse named Phyllis Applegate. After graduation, while serving in the Army’s Finance Corps from 1952-1954, he and Phyllis kept up their relationship by corresponding regularly. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Bob found employment at Marshall Fields. Within the year, he and Phyllis decided it was time to get married and on November 6, 1955 they exchanged their wedding vows.

The young couple began their married life together on the North Side of Chicago. Over the years, Bob and Phyllis brought five beautiful children into the world: Bob, Tom, Sue, Dave and Dan. A wonderful father, Bob supported the children in everything they did. He especially loved playing sports with them and could be found cheering from the sidelines at all of their sporting events. Sundays were set aside for special family time with Sunday dinners after church, followed by long drives in the country.

While the family was growing up, Bob’s career with Marshall Fields progressed rapidly. He was regularly given increased responsibilities, first as a buyer for the 1st Floor (leather goods, fine cutlery, notions), then as the toy buyer where he traveled extensively to Europe and the Orient. While he was often gone for weeks, it was an exciting time in his career. As a buyer, the position allowed him to work directly with names like Madam Alexander, Gucci brothers, and Louis Vuitton, long before they were household names. To reciprocate the friendships he formed while overseas, the family often hosted European and Asian business associates at their house in Wilmette to introduce them to a typical American home life.

Bob continued moving up the corporate ladder as his bosses recognized his intelligence and abilities. He was promoted to become the first manager of the Marshall Fields’ Woodfield Store, and shortly thereafter, was named Vice President of Merchandising for Halle’s, a subsidiary of Marshall Fields in Cleveland, where he served in this capacity for four years. With this experience, he was hired by Crowley, Milner and Company (Crowley’s) in Detroit. Initially hired as the Vice President of Merchandising, he would later serve as the company’s President and CEO, and retiring as Chairman of the Board.

Bob officially retired from Crowley’s at the age of sixty-three and joined Right Management Associates as the Executive Vice President. He encouraged his clients to become more entrepreneurial, in effect, creating a personal marketing plan for themselves after mutually examining their strengths and weaknesses so that they may apply their talents in other industries. He strongly encouraged those to pursue avenues that also appealed to their own personal interests. During these years, he took his own good advice and found that what he really wanted to do was to help others. In this role, he experienced some of the most personally satisfying work in his long career.

As an athlete, Bob remained active in sports by jogging daily, playing tennis weekly and golfing with friends at the Stonycroft Golf Club. He was especially fond of the Detroit Athletic Club, enjoying the daily ritual of working out and the camaraderie of breakfast with his many friends. He was usually a strong competitor in the annual tri-athalon and was especially proud of winning it several times for his age class.

The family continued to spend as much time together as possible. Since his children lived all over the country, he was happiest when he was able to gather his children and grandchildren together either at their cottage at Witch Lake in the Upper Peninsula or later at their winter home in Bonita Springs, Florida. Regular phone calls kept him apprised of the activities of his grandchildren and he always made it a point to tell them how proud he was of them.

Throughout his life, Bob concentrated on giving back to the community. He put his long held Christian beliefs into practice, serving on the boards of civic and philanthropic organizations, among them: the Evangelical Covenant Church of America Board of Benevolence, Lambs Pet Farm, the Detroit Zoological Society, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the Detroit Swedish Council, and Faith Covenant Church. Bob’s business acumen was also sought by a number of business organizations where he served on the Board of Directors for Robertson Brothers, English Gardens, Gerber Foods, Health Alliance Plan, Sinai Grace Hospital, Harper Hospital, Detroit Economic Club, and the Detroit Chamber of Commerce.

Sadly in 1993, Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but was able to keep it in check for many years through regular exercise and the excellent care of his doctors. Bob and Phyllis moved to Grand Rapids in 2004. They were among the first residents at the Covenant Village of the Great Lakes where Bob felt extremely at home among this community of Christians.

Bob Carlson was an exceptional man. His legacy of honesty, integrity, and generosity enriched those who knew him in life. He was a success in business, but found the time to provide encouragement and guidance to family, friends, and colleagues. A fine Christian gentleman, he will be waiting to once again touch the hands of his loved ones.

Robert B. Carlson, age 79 of Grand Rapids and formerly of Birmingham, MI went to his heavenly home on March 10, 2009. Bob was preceded in death by his sisters Helen Jensen and Marjorie Clauson. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; their children Bob and Rosa Maria, Tom and Julie, Sue, Dave and Lori, Dan and Laura; grandchildren Eorl, Ken, Stephanie, Kevin, Britta, Linnea, Paige; brother Fred (Myrtle) Carlson and sister, Janet Anderson. A service to celebrate and remember Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 11 AM in the Chapel of Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, 2510 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bob’s family on Friday from 4-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. To celebrate Bob’s life, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Covenant Village of the Great Lakes Benevolent Fund or Parkinson’s Association of West Michigan. To share a favorite memory or photo, or to sign the online register, please visit