Robert Verner Carlson, Ed.D.

Robert Verner Carlson, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus Robert Verner Carlson, 89, passed away on September 19, 2022. He was born in Buffalo, New York on March 12, 1933. He served in the Armed Services from 1954 - 1956. He then pursued a career in education. He was a teacher and principal of three elementary schools in Rochester, New York, where he completed his doctorate studies in education. He was then principal at the University of Iowa Lab School and assistant professor at the University of Iowa, and went on to becoming professor at the University of Vermont from 1971 through 1995 preparing students for doctoral degrees in educational administration. He authored as well as co-authored three books on educational planning, theory and practice. Always pursuing ways to serve the community, he acted as Guardian Ad Litem in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. In 2001 he began teaching at Pierian Spring Academy, a Sarasota nonprofit that offered college-level seminar-style courses targeted to the area’s sizable population of retirees. He then served as executive director thereof from 2003 - 2012. He believed the zest for learning was ageless and supported the educational goals of others through contributions to the University of Rochester, established a doctoral scholarship program at the University of Vermont and made donations to the Community Foundation of Sarasota. He enjoyed reading, attending seminars and concerts, traveling, sailing and golf. His travels included a University of Vermont teaching exchange program in Oulu, Finland. Robert was preceded in death by his parents James and Ann (Claussen) Carlson and brother James Carlson. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Donna Marie (Johnson), his daughter Elizabeth (Niklaus) Lehmann-Carlson, son Verne Carlson (Janet Savage) and grandchildren: Anja (Sven) Lehmann Bachtold, Matthias (Lisa) Lehmann, Sina (Nicolas) Peronino. Great grandchildren: Noah, Livia and Medea Bachtold. He is also survived by his brothers Ronald (Linda) Carlson, John (Diane) Carlson, Terry (Karen) Carlson, sister Anna Mae Carlson, sister-in-law Gail Carlson as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. There will be no services and his remains are located at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Donations may be made in Robert’s memory to the Sarasota Orchestra, Community Foundation of Sarasota or the American Cancer Society.

Tributes

Robert Verner Carlson, Ed.D.

March 12, 1933 - September 19, 2022