It is with deep sadness that we convey the loss of our beloved husband, father, son, sibling and dear friend Kent Alan Carlson of Concord. He passed away at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 3 p.m. He was with his beloved wife, Robin Masi Carlson. After his 5.5 year-long heroic battle with metastatic prostate and transformed squamous cell cancer, he went pain-free and peacefully.
Kent was born in West Allis, Wisconsin. His early passion for service led him to put in the years necessary to become an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Waukesha South High School in 1980 and from Beloit College in 1984. He moved to Cambridge with his first wife, Judy McClure, and they raised two beautiful children Ben (11/22/91) and Maya (7/16/96). He was very friendly and formed lifelong connections easily. He was a passionate fan of the Green Bay Packers.
Kent began working for various state agencies. The pinnacle of his service career was at the Department of Recreation and Conservation (DCR) (2005 – 2024) where in 2018 he achieved the position of the director of Enterprise Information. From 2016 to 2019, Kent was also the director of the Town of Concord Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Committee. He loved to golf, bike, and play frisbee and basketball.
In 2007, he met the love of his life, Robin Masi, an artist, teacher, and DCF child advocate. He moved to Concord with his kids, and along with her son Ben Kuettel (11/7/1994) he and Robin forged a loving new family. They were deeply devoted to each other throughout their 17 years together. Robin and Kent loved to travel, laugh, work on their houses, and be with loved ones. They owned a home in Wellfleet. For the past ten years, he and Robin were monthly visiting resources to three young boys in DCF custody. They are members of Holy Family Parish and Trinity Episcopal Church.
He leaves behind many beloved family and friends, including his children Maya and Ben, Ben K; father Alan and stepmother Carol Carlson. He also leaves his stepfather Ron Neuman. His siblings Darcy, Curt (d. 2021), and step-siblings Kristin, Meredith, Sue, Bob, and Linda will miss him deeply. His beloved mother, Dianne Neuman, passed in 2017. His grandparents were Paula and Charles Connit, Violet and Ray Carlson. His loving care of animals will be missed by Andy and Abby.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Kent’s life during public visiting hours at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center, on Friday, July 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. and quiet sitting hours available with Kent from 12 noon to 4 p.m. His funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, on Saturday, July 20, at 11 a.m. Burial will take place directly after the service with a light reception to follow. The service will be livestreamed at www.trinityconcord.org/worship.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Kent’s memory to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Genitourinary Cancer or the Emergency Department at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital or a wildlife/nature organization of your choice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Kent’s online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
