Students, teachers remember 'Mr. Maine'

For nearly 50 years, R. Paul Carlson taught government and U.S. history in Room 338 at Maine East High School in Park Ridge. He was so much of a fixture there that students called him "Mr. Maine."

Even today, more than a year after he retired, many of his historical artifacts hang in the room, from coonskin and three-cornered hats, to a 1920 radio, to a giant portrait of Lincoln.

"We couldn't bear to part with that much history and heritage," says fellow history teacher Gary Zielinski.

This week at the start of a new school year, they served as a legacy of sorts to Mr. Carlson, who was the longest serving teacher in Maine Township history. The beloved teacher died on Aug. 19. He was 73.

Online tributes poured in from his former students, much like they did in 2006 when Mr. Carlson was nominated for Maine East High School's Wall of Honor. In fact at the time, supporters filled a three-ring binder with testimonials about their teacher.

"If you were to meet him, you would think, 'This person is unique, this person is special,'" said Gary Weil of Arlington Heights, a 1986 graduate who spearheaded Mr. Carlson's Wall of Honor nomination.

One of his students in the mid-1960s was Hilary Rodham Clinton, who wrote a letter in 2006 recommending him for the Wall, and just last week sent flowers to Mr. Carlson's wife, Nancy.

"I can say without reservation that he is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever had or known," Clinton wrote to Maine Township High School District 207 officials. "He instills a love of learning in his students, and most importantly, a love of country."

Another former student, Bari Pink of Mundelein, remembers how Mr. Carlson addressed his government students as "Senator," when calling upon them.

"I guess because we were studying government, he wanted to give us a title of respect," says Pink, now a special education supervisor for Waukegan Elementary District 60. "He was just so memorable."

Mr. Carlson grew up in Park Ridge and attended Maine East High School himself, graduating in 1951. Colleagues say that he knew even as a student that he wanted to return to the school.

His dream began when he earned a history position at the school in 1960, after starting his career in 1957 at the former Thacker Junior High School.

"He shared a common bond with students," Zielinski adds, "that they were all fellow Mainites."

District 207 officials inducted Mr. Carlson onto their Wall of Honor last year, hanging his plaque next to Clinton's. But they also voted to give him the title of 'Teacher Emeritus' when he retired, says Superintendent Joel Morris.

"It was our way of recognizing the tremendous service he provided Maine East High School," Morris said. "He just personalized his instruction, particularly in government, so that it engaged students in learning about the whole process."

Apart from leaving his mark in the classroom, Mr. Carlson also served as an outspoken activist in the local Park Ridge community. He successfully led crusades to prevent school officials from altering the facade of Maine East, and later from closing the school.

He also is credited with starting the Park Ridge Historical Society, proctoring the school's constitution test for many years, and starting the district's first advanced placement history class.

Mr. Carlson is survived by his wife, Nancy, and sons Thomas (Nancy) and Robert (Marcy) Patterson, as well as five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at The Park Ridge Presbyterian Church, 1300 W. Crescent Ave. in Park Ridge.