Art Carlson, Ph.D., professor emeritus of accounting at the Olin School of Business, died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006, while undergoing surgery to treat an infection that had spread throughout his body. He was 82.
Carlson joined the business school faculty in 1952 and retired in 1988. During that time, he was active in many professional organizations and received several awards, including a distinguished alumni award from his undergraduate — and hometown — college, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Carlson served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46. Working as a supply and disbursing officer, he was stationed on convoy duty to the Mediterranean.
He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University and a doctorate in production and management from Northwestern University.
Carlson’s retirement didn’t keep him away from campus; he was still a mainstay at Simon Hall, according to Gary M. Hochberg, Ph.D., associate dean of undergraduate programs at the Olin School.
“Art cared deeply about his teaching and about each of his students,” Hochberg said. “Even after he retired, he continued to be around the school, using the emeritus faculty office here in Simon Hall and having lunch at Whittemore House — every day at 11:30 a.m., like clockwork.”
Hochberg said that when he started working at the University, Carlson was one of the first people to welcome him.
“I have a vivid memory of Art and the late Ray Hilgert (professor emeritus of management and industrial relations) standing in the doorway of my first office in Prince Hall, welcoming me to the school and telling me folklore about the place,” Hochberg said.
“He’ll be missed by those of us who were fortunate enough to have known him.”
Carlson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lorraine; son George A. Carlson; sister Pauline Freidrichs; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services were Jan. 19 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in University City.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to The Hospitality Room Fund at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 7401 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130.