Norman Richard Carlson Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Norman Richard Carlson, Jr., Ph.D. February 17, 1937 – August 5, 2024 A Brilliant Mind and a Kind Heart Norman Richard Carlson, Jr., age 87, died on August 5, 2024, in Houston, TX. He was born in Michigan City, Indiana, the only child of Dr. Norman R. Carlson and Hilda Dorothy Carlson. Norm, known in his younger years as “Dick,” was the 1955 valedictorian of Elston High School in Michigan City. In 1959 he graduated with an A.B. degree in physics from Dartmouth College, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1961 and 1965, respectively. He was then employed by Westinghouse Electric Corp. in Pittsburgh, PA. While in Pittsburgh he met Margaret Ann Davis and they were married April 4, 1965. In 1976 the Carlson family, which now included daughter Beth Andrea born in 1969, moved to Houston. A son, David Richard, joined the family in 1979. Norm’s professional training was in the process control aspect of engineering and early in his professional career he was employed in a variety of process control activities ranging from the basic oxygen process in steel refining to the packaging of potato chips. His area of expertise became well logging, as he was employed with Dresser Atlas and Western Atlas, oilfield services companies. He was a registered Patent Agent with the US Patent and Trademark Office and had membership in the Houston Patent Law Association. Over 30 U.S. patents were issued in his name. He was also a member of Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society. As a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Norm travelled worldwide as a Distinguished Lecturer, was co-author of the 2008 Petroleum Engineering Handbook, and was chairman of SPE’s Monograph Review Committee. He served in several positions on the Board of Directors of the Society of Professional Well Log Analysts (SPWLA), was president of the Houston Chapter of SPWLA, and was recognized as an SPWLA Distinguished Speaker. In addition, he taught courses and presented technical papers at conferences for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He owned Skriptek, a technical writing company. In 1977 the Carlsons joined Memorial Drive United Methodist Church. Initially Norm was in the Probers Sunday School Class and in more recent years has been an active member of MDUMC’s Friendship Class. He was also a regular participant in the Men of Action group. As a volunteer at CrossWalk Houston, Norm taught literacy. Norm is survived by Margaret Carlson, his wife of 59 years; daughter Beth C. Montigue, M.D. and her husband Tré Montigue and their daughters Lauren and Lindsey of Dallas, Texas; and son David R. Carlson and his wife Lauren Sims Carlson and their daughters Eloise, Claire, and Frances of Nashville, Tennessee. A Memorial Service celebrating Norm's life will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079. Following the service a reception will be held in the Friendship Court on the church campus. Memorial gifts to the Caring Forever Foundation, c/o Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079, would be appreciated by the family.

Norman Richard Carlson Jr.

February 17, 1937 - August 5, 2024