Donald Eugene Carline

Donald Eugene Carline, 81, of Fort Collins, died January 16, 2011 at Columbine West Skilled Nursing Facility after a long fight with dementia. Dr. Carline was born April 26, 1929 in McGill, Nevada to Domenic and Mary Carline. After graduating from high school, Don served in the U.S. Army from 1947 to 1949. He then attained his undergraduate degree in history from Denver University in 1952 and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Don loved baseball and played for the Longview Cherokees in 1952; followed by the Greenville Majors, Bryan/Greenville, Texas in 1953; and then was a catcher for the Cleveland Indians for a short time. Don finished his Masters degree from Denver University in 1955. While earning his Masters degree, Don was teaching in the Denver Public School District and began dating Winifred Miller, another teacher, who later became his wife. Donald and Winifred then taught at Kamehameha School in Honolulu, Hawaii in1956. He then started his doctoral program at Penn State University in 1957 and finished in 1959. Don was a college professor of elementary education with emphasis on reading disabilities. From 1959-1963 he taught at Emporia State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas. He then moved his family to Colorado. He was a professor at Colorado State University from 1963-1966, and then at the University of Colorado from 1966-1984. Don finished his career doing what he loved most, teaching children, at Adams School District in Westminster, Colorado in 1984 and retired in 1988. Dr. Carline was a recipient of the Stearns Award for teaching excellence at the University of Colorado. He was a dynamic speaker. He loved to travel and served as a reading disability consultant for universities in all 50 states. He was president for two years of the International Reading Association, and was one of the nationally renowned specialists for reading disabilities of his time. At the University of Colorado, Don established a reading project for migrant, underprivileged children, which enabled a mobile unit to travel to rural communities in Southern Colorado. Don was a member of the First Christian Church and the Masonic Lodge. Don was a devoted husband and loving father, loved gardening, took great pride in his lawn, garden, and four foot Cannas. He also loved his dogs. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Winifred Irene Carline; two daughters, Marylida Carline-Gilkinson and Shelley Harvey; his mother, Mary Carline; a brother, Thomas Carline, and five grandchildren, Shea and Camille Gilkinson, Cole, Isaac, and Chase Harvey. Preceding Donald in death is his father, Domenic. The family would like to send a special thank you to all the wonderful caregivers at New Mercer Commons and Columbine West Skilled Nursing Facility for the love and care they gave Don. A Memorial Service will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, on Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Rev. Charlie Patchen will officiate at the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer?s Association in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.