DeVon M. Carlson

DeVon M Carlson died April 10th of heart failure. A Memorial Service and reception will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 14th, at the University Memorial Center, 1669 Euclid Ave (Euclid & Broadway) Boulder, CO, 80309. DeV was born December 1, 1917 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Gustav Elvin Carlson, and Gertrude Swanson Carlson, both of Swedish descent. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1935, and attended one year at North Park College, Chicago. He received a BA Architecture from the University of Kansas in 1941, a BA in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado from 1947, and a MA in Architecture from Columbia University NY, in 1949. DeV began teaching at the University of Colorado in 1943 in the School of Engineering, in 1959 he became Head of Dept. of Architecture/Architectural Engineering, and in 1962 he became Dean of the new School of Architecture at CU, serving as such until 1971. He retired from the faculty in 1981. In addition to his academic and administrative work DeV served the profession in a variety of positions including two terms as president of the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (1969, 1980), national accrediting and evaluation boards, advisor to CU Facilities Planning Office, the Colorado Historic Planning Board, founding member of Historic Boulder, and served on the Landmarks Board for the City of Boulder. In 1972 DeV received the AIA's highest honor, the Fellowship Award and in 1977 received the Stearns Award from the University of Colorado "for superior teaching, service to the university, significant research and off campus public service." DeV first came to Colorado in the early 40's. He met his wife, Mary, as a young professor and she a student at CU. They were married June 14th 1949. Together they raised four children in Boulder, spending summers at their cabin in Nederland. He is survived by the four children and five grandchildren: Mitchell, Martha, Judy (John; Sarah, Mitchell), and Peter (Katie; Grace, Annie, Elizabeth). DeV was a member of Triangle fraternity and several academic honor societies. He was active in Boulder Rotary, church affiliations, and he and Mary were active members of the Boulder Dance Club for many years. In his last few years DeV renewed his passion for weaving, creating table linens and scarves for others. He loved to travel and always made any city visit a fun lesson in history, architecture or urban design. He also found great joy hosting family and friends for parties and traditional holiday celebrations. DeV approached life with keen interest in others, sharp intellect, and gentle love. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his honor may be sent to either the Friends of the Colorado Talking Book Library, 180 Sheridan Blvd. Denver Co 80226 (memo line indicate: IMO DeVon Carlson); or the Colorado Architectural Education Foundation (memo line indicate: DeVon Carlson Scholarship Fund), 3320 East 2nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80206.