Carole Robert

“She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough.” 

Carole Carlson Robert,

age 83, of Pittsburgh, passed away June 9, 2025, at her home. She was born April 23, 1942, in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Carl Gustaf and Mary Cunningham Carlson.

Carole is survived by her husband of 52 years John Ray Robert and two sons, John Justin, (current partner Shamra Fallon and ex-spouse Amy) and David Carlson, (wife Cayley).  Nine grandchildren brought so much joy to the Robert household: Carolyn, Dylan, Otto, Watson St. Phillip (stepson), Preston, Tiernan, Alistair, Cambria, and Jasper.  Carole was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Anna Carlson Caruso and Mary Ellen Carlson Hart. She leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.

A former student wrote when hearing of her passing, “I loved when Ms. Robert taught us. She would come into the algebra room with that short, bob haircut, cool round glasses, and that sweet, semi-dry sense of humor.  She was always in control and one of those steady things in your life.  Great teacher…great to be around.  When you are a teenager and uncertain…wait, she was also married to Mr. Robert.  Oh, that all makes sense now.  I hope her last days were peaceful, surrounded by people who love her.”

Carole lost her mother at age ten.  She wanted to attend Penn State, but her father suggested Seton Hill, a women’s liberal arts college taught by the Sisters of Charity.  A friend writes about those days, “I am always grateful for ending up at Seton Hill so many years ago. I wasn't always delighted with all aspects of those years but was always grateful for the women I met there and the friendships we forged. Those friendships were strong and despite our different lives any time over the years when we came together, we could just pick up again.”

The Department of Defense Dependent Schools claimed Carole as a math teacher for thirty-nine years.

She spent two years at Kubasaki High School on Okinawa, Japan and thirty-seven years at H.H. High School in Wiesbaden, Germany. After retirement from government service, she tutored math at Point Park University.

Carole didn’t just teach math.  She was an important part of the school’s fabric.  She sponsored clubs and organizations, attended after school events, motivated students, and delighted her fellow teachers with her wit and charm.  She raised the bar on shopping in Germany, loved eating in the many, many great restaurants in the area, and knew where to buy the delicious, local wines.  She raised two amazing sons who went on to excellent careers after college and have now become superlative dads.

Death is inevitable, isn’t it? 

Yet we rail against the loss with each person that passes before us.  Carole lived a singular, long life.  She was blessed with good friends, a wonderful family, and the joy of living in places most only visit on vacations. 

A celebration of life is pending. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.