Richard "Dick" Carlson's journey began in uncertainty and culminated in profound peace. Abandoned as an infant, he spent his earliest years navigating orphanages and foster care before finally finding a permanent home through adoption. Rather than allowing these humble beginnings to limit his future, Carlson transformed them into the foundation of an extraordinary life—enlisting in the Marines as a teenager before forging careers in journalism, public service, and the demanding arena of national politics.
Those closest to him recognized that Carlson was never motivated by power alone. He was, instead, a man of deep intellectual curiosity—an avid reader, a healthy skeptic, and someone whose character was molded by faith, discipline, and remarkable resilience. As a father, he infused daily life with purpose and intention. His approach to parenting went beyond mere instruction; he actively shaped young minds. Family dinners evolved into seminars on history and literature, exploring how human nature echoes through the ages.
During challenging periods, Carlson remained steadfastly present, encouraging his sons to cultivate curiosity, think independently, and confront difficult truths without fear. He firmly believed that asking better questions led to better understanding of the world. Later in life, he discovered profound joy with his wife Patricia Swanson, together building a home filled with laughter, stability, and enduring love.
Friends observed that Patricia gave him roots, providing the sense of belonging he'd never known as a child. When she died, the grief remained quietly with him, yet he continued to exemplify strength, gratitude, and unwavering devotion to his family.
In his final days, Carlson chose clarity over comfort, surrounded by the loved ones he had nurtured throughout his life. He leaves behind a legacy of endurance, integrity, and fierce devotion—powerful testimony that a life can begin unwanted and unloved, yet end profoundly cherished and eternally remembered through the family he built and the lives he shaped.
