Richard Warner Carlson, known as Dick Carlson, was born on February 10, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts. His biological parents were very young—his mother was 15, his father 18—and he spent early years in an orphanage and foster care. In 1943, he was adopted by Warner and Ruth Carlson. “His father died when Richard was around 12, forcing him to become self-reliant at a young age,” shaping his resilience and independence.
Carlson attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School and later joined the University of Mississippi through ROTC but left before graduating. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the 1960s, gaining discipline and the ability to operate under pressure, traits that guided his diverse career in journalism, diplomacy, and public service.
He began in journalism as a copy boy at the Los Angeles Times and reporter for United Press International. Carlson later worked as an investigative journalist for ABC News, establishing himself as “a thoughtful and probing journalist unafraid to pursue impactful stories.” At KABC‑TV, he earned a Peabody Award in 1972 for exposing poor conditions at animal shelters. He also briefly explored banking and ran for mayor of San Diego.
Carlson led the Voice of America from 1986 to 1991, overseeing broadcasts during pivotal events like the fall of the Berlin Wall and Tiananmen Square. He later served as U.S. Ambassador to the Seychelles and headed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, demonstrating versatility and public service commitment.
In his personal life, Carlson married twice and had two sons, Tucker and Buckley. Known as a devoted father, he maintained family traditions and guidance. He passed away on March 24, 2025, at 84, with Tucker noting he “refused all painkillers to the end and left this world with dignity and clarity.” Carlson is survived by his sons and five grandchildren, leaving a lasting professional and personal legacy.
