Robert "Bob" Melvin Carlson

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Robert M. Carlson was born February 4, 1932, to Melvin and Frances (LaDue) Carlson on the family farm near Alexandria, South Dakota. The baby was welcomed by five siblings, all of whom were ten or more years his senior. Bobby’s oldest sister was his kindergarten teacher at Emery, SD. Grade school years were spent at Farmer, SD, followed by Alexandria after a family move. Wherever he lived, he transported himself by running across the countryside, often covering over ten miles on foot in a day. He graduated from Alexandria High School, where he enjoyed excellence as a guard on the basketball court.

Following his graduation in 1950, Bob entered the US Marine Corps at the time of the Korean conflict. Because of his typing skills, he was selected to remain stateside when his unit was shipped off to Korea, where many lost their young lives. Boot camp was in San Diego and then Camp Pendleton, CA, for Supply School training. When Bob’s mother became very ill in 1952, he was granted a transfer to the Marine facility in Sioux City, IA, where he served as supply chief for the Marine Corps Reserve. It was here during a night watch that he pursued an escaped convicted murderer and talked him down until the police arrived. In 1954, he was honorably discharged from active duty and continued in the Reserve until 1963.

In June 1954, Bob married Margaret Herman of Parkston. To this union were born three children: Robert Allen, Kevin, and Jody.  Shortly after his honorable Marine discharge, Bob owned and operated a tavern with food in Alexandria and soon worked for Alexandria Grain and Oil. He also worked the SD State Ag Department inspecting dairies, creameries and egg production facilities. He worked as the manager of the tire department for Montgomery Ward in Mitchell for seven years before beginning his career with the United States Postal Service.

Bob was ever committed to his community and exemplified a life dedicated to serving others. He became a member of the Alexandria city council, ran the Green Thumb program, served as the county Civil Defense Director, fire chief, Lions Club member, field man for a political party, and mayor of Alexandria.

In 1968, Bob was appointed Postmaster of Alexandria. In this new position, he soon became very active in the National League of Postmasters, a move pivotal to his postal journey. He was next appointed postmaster in Dell Rapids, SD. On December 30, 1977, he became the officer in charge of the Brookings post office, and also served as an acting postmaster for Watertown. He also served as acting engineer for East River post offices. In this period, Bob directed the implementation of the Zip+4 program for five states in the upper Midwest based out of St. Paul, Minnesota for five months.

On April 8, 1978, Bob was married to Gail Anderson Renner at West Nidaros Lutheran Church near Crooks, SD. The couple enjoyed many years of involvement in the League as they worked to promote the welfare of the USPS and its postmasters. Bob served as state secretary and president, area and regional coordinator, and member of the National Legislative Committee. In these roles, he worked tirelessly to protect the private express statute–meaning that for the price of a stamp, customers have a protected message or check enclosed, and no one could open or read the contents of a letter or package exchanged privately between two parties without your permission. The Carlsons enjoyed a national network of postal friends as they traveled to state and national conventions and conferences, fighting for the overall operational health of the US Postal Service by meeting with lawmakers from across South Dakota and around the country, including George McGovern, Larry Pressler, Tom Daschle, and countless others. Bob was honored as state Postmaster of the Year and received other national recognition. In 1997, Bob celebrated his retirement from a very full postal career.

While residing in Lyons, SD, he became very active in West Nidaros Lutheran Church, where he was often first in line to volunteer to tackle or spearhead any building project or initiative. He served on two building committees; the church grounds, Replica Church and properties committees; and a pastoral call committee. He also served on the church council and was president of the congregation. For 30 years he served as one of the two head ushers and could often be found in the back of the sanctuary ringing the church bell or taking head counts of congregants.

A green thumb, Bob loved trees, plants and flowers. He was famous for his perfectly mowed, park-like lawn and garden. His basement sometimes held 60 red geraniums for the next year’s blooms, and his post office lobbies were graced by an orange tree and a grapefruit tree that had been grown from seeds planted in pails by his father. The trees migrated from post office to post office, finally landing in the Carlson home.

The Carlsons enjoyed a dozen or more years of retirement spending time in Gold Canyon and Mesa, Arizona, where they were blessed with many snowbird friends and visits from family.

Bob is survived by his wife Gail, Lyons; children Kevin Carlson, Portland, OR, and Jody (Wade) Strand, Mitchell; stepson Tim (Kärin) Renner, Crooks;  grandchildren Bobby (Angie) Carlson, Camren (Brooklin) Carlson, Mike (Ada) Jonnassen, Matt (Katie) Strand, Chris (Megan) Strand, Dan (Abby) Renner, Liz Renner; and great-grandchildren Devon and Cole Carlson; Tyler, Tate, and Kendall Strand; Emmett, Aliza, and Elsie Strand; and Jett Renner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Frances; son Robert A Carlson; sisters Esther Tierney and Doris Ciaverella; and brothers Elwood, Dwaine, and Maurice.

Funeral services for Bob and his son Robert Allen Carlson will begin at 10:30 AM Thursday, May 23, 2024, at West Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Crooks. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Wednesday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the West Nidaros Cemetery Columbarium Fund or West Nidaros Missions.