Richard Stephen Carlson

life story

Friend to All

Richard could lift anyone's spirit, with his outgoing personality, wit, and sense of humor.

Short summary of Richard's very active 75 years of life.

Richard Stephen Carlson, 75, of Inver Grove Heights, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, April 5, 2024, at his home, while on hospice.

Richard was born January 20, 1949 in Turlock, CA to Bennett and Mildred ( Erickson) Carlson. Richard was blessed with many gifts and abilities: athletically, musically, linguistically, academically, and spiritually. He was on his high school swim team and college basketball team. He was in many bands, from All City Bands in junior high and high school, to rhythm and blues bands during college.

He attended Johnson Joint Elementary, and was a 1967 graduate of Turlock High School. He spent that summer in San Francisco during the infamous “ Summer of Love.” Richard had a short time of confinement, where he had a radical dramatic conversion to Christianity. From that day forward, he was inspired to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he always had a soft place in his heart for disadvantaged people. He proceeded to attend Vancouver Bible College in British Columbia, Canada, and after graduation, returned to Northern California, where he was very involved with the “Jesus Movement”. He was a youth pastor and preacher, started a Christian coffee shop, and organized Christian concerts. In 1976, he was encouraged to attend Bethel Seminary, in Arden Hills, MN, and continue his life of evangelism. During that time he was a missionary to the Dominican Republic and a youth pastor at Randolph Heights Presbyterian Church in St Paul, MN.

Richard eventually left the ministry, and because of his various interests and talents, had many jobs over the years. He is most known for real estate: sales ( Burnet Realty and Edina Realty), rehabbing, apartment building ownership, and property management.

Richard was also a fan of the MN Vikings, an avid reader and debater, could fix anything, multi-lingual, could tell a great joke, and lift anyone’s spirits.

Richard is survived by his wife of 26 years, Tamara Kappauf, and 3 wonderful sons: Alexander ( Sarah Helgren), Mitchell, and Benjamin ( Laura). He is survived by: sister Jana ( Steve) Franci, sister Cheryl ( Gary) Galloway, brother in law Todd ( Diana Brehob) Kappauf, sister in law Janeen Kappauf, and brother in law Terrence Fred Kappauf. Richard is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Minnesota, Northern California, and around the world.

Richard was preceded in death by brother Robert Carlson, brother in law Thomas Kappauf, parents Mildred and Bennet Carlson, and inlaws Kenneth and Joyce Kappauf.

memorial service

Rousing Send-Off

April 19, 2024

Hometown Church – Bloomington 2300 E 88th St, Bloomington, MN 55425, USA

Visitation 4:30 to 5:30

Ceremony 5:30 to 6:30

Time of Fellowship 6:30 to 8:00

Flowers can be received at the church, door "N", on Thursday and Friday before the service.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services