Helge Frank Nils Carson Obituary (2022)

Helge Frank Nils Carson, age 57, passed away unexpectedly of sudden natural causes on October 17th, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carson, his daughter, Kelley Paradis and her husband Scott, his older brother, Rolf Carson, as well as other loving family members and friends around the world. His passing is a bitter reminder of how short life can be, and he will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him. Helge was born in Bad Oldesloe, Germany to Ernst and Ingeborg Carson, who instilled in him the values of hard work and determination. He grew up in San Rafael, California, and was a varsity athlete in track, cross-country and wrestling in high school, and also entered the Sea Cadets, where he was leading Petty Officer and color guard captain. Helge credited the Sea Cadets with facilitating his acceptance into the United States Naval Academy, where he received his Bachelor's in Political Science and Government before becoming an Aviation Safety Officer through the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Awards and honors received included Top Hook and Commandant's List. He received his Naval Aviator Wings in Jacksonville, Florida in 1988, and shortly thereafter began his first Naval Command assignment in Norfolk, VA as a C-2 pilot. It was there that he met Jennifer, and they married before starting their future abroad at Sigonella Naval Base in Sicily, Italy. While at Sigonella he was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal (1991) and the Southwest Asia Service Medal (1991). After a short return to America for the birth of their daughter Kelley, they moved to Cambridge, England, where Helge flew C-12s at RAF Mildenhall. After his time in the Navy, Helge spent 25 years with United Airlines, flying a number of planes (Boeing 777, 747, 787, 737, Airbus A320, A380) and visiting countless cities around the world, frequently joined by his family. They eventually moved to Tucson in 2003 and Helge became involved with and dedicated to LOOK! Save a Life, a cycling nonprofit dedicated to ensuring safety for all those who use our public roadways. He and Kelley had planned to ride together in Kelley's first el Tour de Tucson this fall. While the Navy does not have an official motto, Helge embodied an unofficial motto, "Non sibi sed patriae" (Not self but country). He dedicated his life to providing as much as he could for his family and friends; he always offered a helping hand, useful advice or a German translation. He was kind, thoughtful, and funny, always offering a joke or pun. His love of flying, cycling and travel was surpassed only by his love for his family (including dogs, Zoe and Stanley). He built an incredible and fulfilling life for them through his tireless hard work and dedication, and he and Jennifer celebrated 32 years of marriage together. He will be fondly remembered, sorely missed, and always thought of when a (dark) German beer appears. For those who wish to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers, please consider donating the Tucson non-profit LOOK! Save a Life in Helge's name (looksavealife.org). There are no gallery images.