Richard Carl Carlson

UPDATE: A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 415 Bridge Street, New Cumberland.

Richard Carl Carlson, 85, of New Cumberland, died Monday, December 6, 2021, at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, with his daughters by his side.

He was the son of the late Ludwig and Viola (Larsen) Carlson and was born on September 12, 1936, in Manhattan, N.Y. He was the widower of Alfreda "Freddie" L. (Reynolds) Carlson, whom he was married to for over 53 years.

Richard graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York. He attended State University and Technical College at Farmingdale (renamed Farmingdale State College) and later graduated from the State University College at Adelphi (renamed Adelphi University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963 and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

Richard worked for General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., and at this time he met and married his late wife Freddie in 1967. He retired from the New Cumberland Army Depot (renamed Defense Distribution Region East), where he worked as a chemist in the petroleum lab for over 30 years.

Richard was especially proud of his Swedish heritage; both his parents immigrated through Ellis Island in the 1920s, as did many other members of his family. He enjoyed collecting political items and coins, was an avid gardener and especially enjoyed cultivating tomatoes. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in New Cumberland for over 40 years. He also participated in the Depot’s bowling league during his tenure there.

Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Karen and John Zeedick of Etters and Catherine and Michael Haggerty of Pittsburgh; grandchildren Linnea Zeedick, Viola Haggerty and Harry Haggerty; a sister and brother-in-law, Lynn and Chester Zawacki of Fernandina Beach, FL; and 22 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 415 Bridge Street, New Cumberland. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Richard’s name to the American Heart Association.

For more information or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.parthemore.com.