Richard Carlsen

Richard Carlsen, 73, passed away Friday, August 5th, 2016 at his home in Somerset, surrounded by family.

Born on Staten Island to John and Ella (Mattson) Carlsen, Richard graduated from Tottenville High School, where he met his future wife, Joanne. He completed a year at the Academy of Aeronautics on Long Island before going on for his Bachelors of Science from N.J.I.T.

As a boy, Richard worked on his family’s bait barge in Great Kills Harbor. He worked for Schmidt’s Marine in NY then Outboard Marine in Illinois before beginning his more than 30-year career as a mechanical engineer with Egan Machinery in Somerville. In his work, Mr. Carlsen traveled the world, and published several patents before retiring in 2002.

Mr. Carlsen was a parishioner of Bound Brook United Methodist Church, and was very active with the Franklin Township High School Band Parents. Richard loved fishing, crabbing, and simply being on the water. He was an avid gardener, dirt-track and NASCAR racing fan, R.C. airplane enthusiast, and faithful contributor to Atlantic City casinos.

Mr. Carlsen was predeceased by his brothers, Roy and Ralph Carlsen. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Joanne (Greten) Carlsen; by their son, Matthew Carlsen and his wife Jennifer of Atlantic Highlands; daughters, Deborah Carlsen of Ft. Myers FL and Karen Carlsen of Somerset; granddaughters, Emily and Hannah Sasso; sisters-in-law Ruth Ellen and Pamela Carlsen; brother-in-law Nicholas Greten and his wife Elizabeth of Estero, FL; by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; by a close circle of Egan Alumni, and his beloved rescue cat, Coco. And as Dad would always say, “Sköl”.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton St. Somerset. The funeral will be held Wednesday at Bound Brook United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Franklin Twp. Animal Shelter, 475 DeMott Lane Somerset, NJ 08873.