Robert Theodore Carlson, age 84, of Valdosta, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 16, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Chicago, Robert, known as Bob in his youth, grew up in Glen Ellyn and spent his adult life in Chicago and the northern suburbs. He and his wife later retired to The Cliffs at Glassy Mountain in South Carolina before settling in Valdosta. A talented artist from an early age, Robert took after his father. At 18, he was commissioned by renowned painter Warner Sallman to create a life-sized replica of his iconic Christ the Good Shepherd painting for the Foster Avenue Baptist Church in Chicago. Robert attended North Park College for two years before transferring to Millikin University, graduating with a BA in Art. He went on to study illustration at the American Academy of Art.

After graduation, he became a partner in his father’s commercial art studio in downtown Chicago, specializing in artwork for TV commercials for national brands like Pillsbury and Kellogg. Family and friends knew Robert as a great storyteller with a gift for laughter and for making others laugh. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Dorothy Carlson; is survived by his wife, Mary; sister, Cheryl (Jim) Peyton; daughters, Laurel (Chris) Thomas and Rachel (Joseph) Curran; stepdaughter, Rhonda and stepson, Tad; grandchildren, Rob (Courtney) Thomas, Emily Thomas, Sara Thomas, Ashleigh (Caleb) Cleghorn, and Grace Curran, along with great-grandchildren, Adeline and Callum Thomas.

The Celebration of Life service will be held on April 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Winnetka Covenant Church, 1200 Hibbard Rd., Wilmette.

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