Robert "Bob" Lloyd Carlson

Robert “Bob” Lloyd Carlson July 31, 1940 – December 18, 2025 A Life of Family, Faith, and Dedication

Robert “Bob” Lloyd Carlson was born on July 31, 1940, in Pampa, Texas, to M.R. and Edna Carlson. He grew up in a close-knit family alongside his siblings Donna Schneck, Joel Carlson, Paul Carlson, and Marc Carlson. Bob’s early years were filled with energy, humor, and a natural love for sports.

An athlete through and through, Bob played baseball throughout his teenage years and went on to excel in golf. In fact, his talent on the golf course earned him the title of Emporia State University’s number one golfer, where he lettered while playing for the Hornets. One favorite story from his high school days was the time he was asked to escort the homecoming queen — only because her boyfriend, future NFL quarterback John Hadl, trusted Bob more than anyone else to take on the honor.

Bob attended Emporia State University for several years, spending one semester at Baker University — a fateful decision, as it was there, he met the love of his life, Linda Francis Turnbull. He later completed his education at Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education, Health, and Fine Arts in 1965.

Bob and Linda married on August 25, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri, beginning a loving partnership that would span decades and touch countless lives.

After college, Bob began his teaching and coaching career in Gering, Nebraska (1965–1967), where he coached wrestling and taught Physical Education and Health Science. He continued both passions in Topeka, Kansas, teaching elementary P.E. and coaching wrestling at Topeka High School from 1967 to 1968. During his summers, Bob served as a water safety instructor and lifeguard at the Olympic Pool in Greeley, Colorado, in Gering, and at the Shawnee Country Club in Topeka, Kansas.

In 1968, Bob transitioned into a long and successful career as a State Farm Insurance Agent in Lawrence, Kansas, working alongside his father, M.R. Carlson. He quickly became one of the company’s most respected agents, earning the Crystal of Excellence Award for 20 years of outstanding production and service — an honor achieved by only two State Farm agents in Kansas at the time. Bob also served as President of the Lawrence Life Underwriters Association in the 1970s and sat on its Board of Directors for 10 years.

Throughout his years in Lawrence, Bob’s commitment to the community never wavered. He helped start the wrestling programs at the Lawrence junior high schools, ensuring that local youth had opportunities to learn teamwork, discipline, and perseverance — values he lived by. He also served as playground director at Hillcrest, Woodlawn, and Schwegler Elementary Schools from 1958 to 1960, long before his own children would attend school there.

Family was at the center of Bob’s life. Together, Bob and Linda raised four children — Brad, Debbie, Dianna, and Jeff — in a home filled with love, laughter, and competition. Bob gave up much of his own free time, including his love of golf, to coach and cheer for his kids. He coached Brad’s baseball teams, the Quantrill Raiders, leading them to several undefeated seasons. He coached Debbie and Dianna’s softball teams to multiple championships, dominating the Lawrence softball leagues for many years. Debbie would later go on to play fast-pitch softball for Pittsburgh State University in Kansas. Bob also coached Jeff’s baseball teams all the way through age 18, creating wonderful memories for Jeff. Bob was always willing to play catch in the back yard with any of his children, no matter how hard the workday had been.

Over the years, Coach Carlson became a beloved mentor to countless young athletes. He demanded effort, respect, and teamwork, and always modeled encouragement and kindness. Those who played for him often remembered that Bob didn’t just coach them to be better players; he coached them to be better people.

Bob’s devotion extended to ensuring a wonderful home life for his family. When his children were young, he worked tirelessly to buy Linda her dream home — a beautiful five-acre property in Pleasant Grove Estates, south of Lawrence. Linda loved horses, and Bob wanted her to have a place where she could care for them on her own land. He built a home filled with warmth and laughter, where countless baseball, football, and volleyball games were played in the yard, and where the children spent endless hours playing in the creek that ran through the property. Bob took great pride in maintaining and improving the land, creating a perfect place for his wife’s horses and his children’s adventures.

After his children were grown, Bob returned to his first athletic love — golf. He joined the Lawrence Country Club and later Alvamar Golf Club, where he could often be found after work, enjoying friendly rounds with long-term friends. He also found great joy in woodworking, crafting thoughtful projects for his children, and helping them with their home improvements whenever possible.

Bob and Linda loved to travel together, visiting Hawaii and other beautiful destinations. After Linda’s passing in November 1998, Bob was blessed to find love once again with Karen Sue Schlosser. The two married on February 3, 2005, beginning another wonderful chapter in his life. Together they shared over 20 joyful years filled with travel, laughter, and family. Bob happily welcomed Karen’s two daughters, Kristen and Rachel, into his life.

Bob’s life was rich with purpose — as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, businessman, and friend. His kindness, humor, and humility touched all who knew him. He was a man of quiet strength and deep generosity who worked hard to provide for his family and never stopped giving of his time and heart.

Bob lived a life full of love, loyalty, and laughter — a life that made an impact far beyond his years. His family and friends will remember him always for his steadfast heart, his sense of humor, and his unwavering devotion to the people and community he loved.

He is survived by:

Children – Debbie Girard (Lawrence), Dianna Dykes (Topeka), Jeff Carlson (Olathe) Brothers – Paul Carlson (California) and Marc Carlson (Colorado) Wife – Karen Sue Carlson (Lawrence) and her children, Rachel Chaney (Eudora), Kristin Courtney (Eudora) Grandchildren, oldest to youngest – Robert Girard, Hailey Carlson, Garrett Girard, Sydney Pottberg, Dawson Dykes, Thomas Carlson, Casey Dykes, Emma Carlson, Hunter Girard, Freya Girard, Adison Chaney, and Lorraine Courtney.

He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Francis Carlson, his son Brad Carlson, his siblings Donna Schneck and Joel Carlson, and his parents M.R. and Edna Carlson.

Services to be determined at a later date.