Jeffrey Carlson Obituary

With fond remembrace of Attila our comrade at the 470th you did us proud. your legacy intact as The Bridge of the Americas, still spans the Panama Canal. Good work buddy.

Dear Karen,

I was so sorry to hear about Jeff. Although we haven't been in touch in many years I knew you were happy with him and so I was saddened to hear of his death.

Jeff

You were good and kind to me and I will remember

Where are you, Jeff? You've gone, but I can still hear your marvelous voice! That laugh! You charmed everyone! We had so much in common. You even introduced me to the love of my life, my wife, at your place on Beacon Hill, up the street from our favorite store, Drugs and Spirits. You'll live on in my heart, Jeff. I miss you so much.



-Allen

When I was first introduced to Jeff, what I remember most about him, was how devoted he was to Karen. I knew that this would be a winning combination from the beginning, and it was a pleasure to watch their relationship grow over the years. Although I moved out of Chicago shortly after they wed, whenever I came in to visit, both of them always went out of their way to make my time with them feel special. I always appreciated Jeff's humor, and the way you could just hang out with him, and start a conversation as if it hadn't been a year since we last met. Jeff's concern for my well being, and how he always welcomed me back home, will never be forgotten. I remember how we used to talk about Princess, a cat he had when he first met Karen. I remember the caps, the coffee, and the meals all of us shared together. I was always touched by his generosity, and always looked forward to our conversations, especially those about the perfect "retirement" job. After he first started teaching, he used to tell me how grateful he was to be able to be drinking his morning coffee in the comfort of his home, while watching everyone rush off to work in the early hours of the winter. When I heard this I thought: Jeff sure knows how to enjoy life! Although Jeff's time here was way too short, and I will sincerely miss him, I am happy that I was able to share so many good times together.

Dear Karen: Jeff will always be remembered with my love. He married Donna, my life-long best friend, back in the 70's. He introduced me to my husband, Allen, back in the early 80's. You and Jeff married in the mid/late 80's. Meeting you was a pleasure. I was happy for you both. My feelings were always open to Jeff. I found him to be truly unique, always a friend. I miss him and thank you for this opportunity to tribute Jeff's life.

I'm glad for the time he was my son-in-law!

I am on the trading floor laughing, a parrot in the freezer? I had the pleasure of knowing Jeff the last 25 years roughly, what a guy, would have liked to have known him back in those days also. Gentlemen, scholar, friend, funny man, well, you all know.

Dear Karen, I've known Jeffrey so long, over 40 years, that when I met him, he had hair. He was the sweetest, dearest man of any friend I've ever had, and even though he will always be with me, I will miss him forever. Love always, Sumner

hello Karen, fast perusing my latest

pile of papers and always going to obit page to see who folks i am miraciously outlasting i came

across a familiar face. hated to read confirming your loss. i liked

the guy.sorry. allan

Dear Karen,

I was shocked and sad to hear of Jeff's passing. I had seen him only 2 days before. However I had the pleasure of knowing him for the past 4years. He was a great guy. He will be missed but, never forgotten.

My deepest sympathy to you all. I had the privilege of knowing Jeff but for a brief time as I was coming into the 470th MI Group in Panama and he was on his way out. Jeff was very hospitable helping me settle in. I found him to be a warm, affable and gentlemanly with a keen intellect and great sense of humor. Like his other comrades, I too cherish the memories of "lindo exotico Panama", the Sunday football games, and many lost weekends...and Jeff.

Friends and Family of Jeff Carlson. When I saw the picture, the name and the details, the connection was immeadiate. I was part of the "Panama" group although I didn't have a nickname like some of the other guest book signers from those days. I remember the Sunday morning football games, the cheap drinks, and eventhe MG, which for some strange reason strange Jeff used to let me drive. Most importantly I remember the closeness and the friendships we had. It is one of my regrets that I didn't keep them up and have had only causual and mostly coincidental contacts with the Panama guys. Reading about Jeff brought back many memories and his death has affected me in ways that I can't describe. In reading the notice, it is clear that Jeff found a career and a life that fits the guy I remember. Bernie Talbert

Dear dear Karen,

We felt so very shocked and sad to hear of Jeff's passing, of course. What a FUN guy he was. We so admired his wonderful sense of humor but mostly, honestly, we appreciated his relationship with you. Though we have not seen you two very often these last few years, the visuals and memories of how the two of you connected early in your marriage displayed the very definition of soul mates. It was amazing and inspiring... enviable and comforting. We knew you had found "the one" as soon as we met Jeff in (was it 1984 or 85 -- the Wedding Years for our generation?). In our minds, you two were each other's very best advocates and it always seemed so easy, and yes, so fun too. We are looking forward to hearing all the warm stories about Jeff on Monday at his memorial. See you then. Love, Barb and Rich

Jeff was unique, an icon for several of us who were plying our trade and our young lives in Panama. I was known as Mary, a nickname Jeff (better known to us as Attila or At for short) pinnned on me soon after we met. The reason for my name is of no paticular consequence, but it reflects Jeff's perverse sense of humor. More than a wit, Jeff was interesting and always an enigma. As the Rookie has noted, some of us who lived and worked with Attila had wanted to reunion with him and looked for him for several years hoping to get reacquainted. It is more than a disappointment that we catch-up with our confederate only at his passing, but in reading about his life since 1969 it appears he remained true to his spriit. It is that spirit which remains with us after more than 35 years of separation and which I trust will remain with you as a source of smiles and contentment. I pen these sentiments with sincerity and sympathy, but with joy that Attila has been a part of my life.

My sincerest sympathies. I served with Jeff in Panama with the 470th MI Group

Karen:



First let me express my sympathy for your loss. My name is Jim Del Fosse. I shared desk space with Jeff at the 470th in Panama. We were on the same team working for Dave Stine. We all had nicknames back then. Not sure if you knew that. He was Attila, I was Rookie. You will hear from others who served with Jeff in the 470th (I forwarded this notice to them). Many of us have kept in touch over the years. And to a man, we all tried to track Jeff down. Last we heard he was in the V.I. We all have stories to share when you’re ready…putting his parrot in the freezer comes to mind…the football games on Sunday morning…he once caught a pass I threw and fell flat on his face. 5 cent balboas at the Snake Pit. Even he would buy a round at that price. I bought his MGA when he left the Zone…he flew in for my wedding and spent the night before at my house. We got wrecked. We had a great time. My dad thought he looked like Custer…blond hair and all.



The irony of it all is that he ended up back in the city. I still live in Chicago. My younger son graduated from Colombia College. I have missed Jeff over the years. I will toast him and the memories tonight. He was a good man and a better friend.



Jim Del Fosse