Erling Knute Carlson

Loving father and grandfather, Erling Knute Carlson passed away suddenly but peacefully on his 90th birthday in Modesto. Born to Norwegians Helge and Petra Carlson of Black Duck Minnesota July 2nd 1919, Erling joined the Navy in 1939. Serving as Gunners Mate, he sailed into Pearl Harbor the morning of December 8th, 1941, on the USS Chester. After his Honorable Discharge, he worked until retirement as a machinist for San Francisco Naval Shipyard. He then gained a second retirement as an engineer from Varian in Palo Alto. A lifelong Giants fan, avid traveler, animal lover and member of the Elks, he loved meeting and helping people. He is survived by daughters Diane Sullivan of Bakersfield, Nancy Cornett (Paul) of Florence, OR and Penny White (Wendell) of Modesto; grandchildren Christine Renninger of San Jose and Catherine Renninger of Mountain View. He is also survived by Mambi his beloved Scotty. He is preceded in death by Carmen his wife of 61 years. Visitation will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 8th, 2009, at Spangler Mortuary 799 Castro St. Mountain View 650-967-5546. Rosary will be at 10:30 A.M., interment directly following at Alta Mesa Cemetery Palo Alto. His friends at the Morgan Hill Senior Center and his family will especially miss his sense of humor and love of music and life.