Colleen Carlson, a forestry research associate in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, passed away June 30 after she suffered a severe asthma attack and lapsed into a coma.

Carlson, who worked in the field of forestry and biometry for more than 22 years in the United States, New Zealand, and South Africa, was on the Forest Productivity Cooperative team led by Professor Tom Fox. She studied the manipulation of cuttings to improve their rooting and was an expert in the methodologies of trial-based research and data analysis.

“Colleen was a great scientist who was a pleasure to work with,” Fox said. “She never turned down a request for help from anyone, especially the graduate students who went to her for help with statistics and data analysis. Even more important, she was a wonderful person and a true friend.”

“Her laughter could always be heard before she entered the room,” said her husband, Ross Allan. “She was generous with her time, knowledge, and especially her love.” Carlson lived in Christiansburg with Ross and their son Daniel. Their roots are in South Africa, where her mother and sister live.

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