Walter Frederick Carlsten, served his country
Walter "Fred" Carlsten, 78, of Milford passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. Fred was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the second son of Rolf Norbert and Marian DuBois Carlsten. Growing up, Fred's family moved often. He lived in Wilmington, Philadelphia, Denver, Colo., Montague, Mich., Morris, Ill., and Lewes. He graduated from Lewes High School in 1959, and was a member of the football team and the Future Farmers of America.
He served in the U.S. Air Force at the Strategic Air Command Goose Bay Air Base during the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis. After his discharge he studied mechanics and graduated from Spring Garden Institute in Philadelphia.
After graduation he settled in Lewes, and moved through a series of businesses and jobs. He was the owner-operator of a Mobil gas station and a Mary Carter Paint store. He worked for the University of Delaware College of Marine Studies as a mechanic. He managed the Stokes Marine Lewes Boatyard, and became a realtor at Anderson-Stokes Realty. He provided maintenance of Mills Island Hunting Club, and was the owner of the Mispillion Boatyard before finally settling in as a partner with Reds Dolson at John L. Briggs General Contractors in Georgetown for 35 years, where their company built many of the schools, libraries and public buildings across southern Delaware. He retired to Slaughter Beach Farms near Milford.
Fred enjoyed boating, hunting, shooting sports, working on/fixing anything mechanical and farming in his retirement. Fred was active in many organizations. Among his favorites were Ducks Unlimited, the Delaware Trapshooting Association, Broadkiln Sportsman's Club, the Cedarfield Ruritan Club and American Legion Post 17 where he received the Outstanding Service Award in 2003.
He is survived by a son, Fritz Carlsten; a brother, Rolf Carlsten of Enid, Okla.; nieces Ingrid Sadler and Astrid Elliott; and special friend Carmen Sockriter.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, with funeral and burial to be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Ducks Unlimited, your local fire company or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
