CHICAGO, IL (February 24, 2012) – Funeral services are pending for Rollie Carlson, former president of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence (CMB) of the Evangelical Covenant Church, who died this afternoon.
Carlson, 79, helped guide the Covenant on numerous projects that benefited the “least of these.” In 2008, Swedish Covenant Hospital presented him and his wife, Janis, with the Spirit of Compassion Award.
As head of CMB, Carlson created the Compassion, Mercy, and Justice Committee, which eventually became a department within the denomination. He also served at one time as president of the North Park University Alumni Association.
David Dwight, CMB president, said, “”We were so saddened to hear of the death of Rollie Carlson. He was a true Board of Benevolence patriarch and leader. For more than 50 years he had a significant impact on this part of Covenant ministry.”
Paul Peterson, former CMB president who immediately succeeded Carlson, said, “I think his greatest contribution was making it possible to pull all of the Covenant retirement communities under one organization.”
Peterson noted Carlson’s generosity and commitment to helping others. “He was always very helpful to people and supportive of different projects. He didn’t just ask people to give. He gave a lot himself.”
Covenant News Service will publish additional information as it becomes available.
