Roger Norberg Carlsten

"Be healthy, be happy, be kind, be nice."

Obituary

With deep sadness and love, we share the passing of Roger Norberg Carlsten, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to so many. Born March 9, 1946 in Providence, RI, “Fafa”, as he was known to his children and grandchildren, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026 at the age of 79, after a battle with esophageal cancer.

Roger left an indelible impact on those in his world. He is survived by his three children, Kevin Carlsten, Christopher Carlsten, and Stephanie Adamson, and their spouses Kate Price, Jen Sandoval and David Adamson, as well as his seven grandchildren, Ella and Rosa Sandoval-Carlsten, Elijah and Abraham Adamson, and Mae, Finnegan and Sebastian (“Bash”) Carlsten - each of whom carry a treasured piece of Fafa’s unique character with them. His beloved dog, Alphie, knows more than anyone the gift of Fafa’s unconditional love.

His approach to life, a wonderful synthesis of the quirky and practical, emerged from his roots and his parents Earle and Margaret. He maintained lifelong close relationships with siblings Marcia “Chip”, Bruce, twin brother Russell, and Geoff who together built a lifetime of curiosity, community, and old-fashioned hard work. He graduated from Cranston East HS, a student and wrestler, and finished the University of Rhode Island a year early to head to University of Maryland for graduate school. A dentist by trade, he began his dental career serving in the U.S. Air Force in Limestone, ME, before establishing a private practice in Providence, RI that spanned over 50 years. His world was a true amalgam of communities and one never knew if someone in his office was a patient, contractor, artist, friend or often some combination thereof. The result was something truly unique and special, resulting in many lifelong patients and friends, and a lasting impact on the Providence community and beyond.

Fafa was thoughtful and deliberate about how he spent his time and resources, prioritizing generosity to friends, family, and causes he deeply valued. He was a compassionate advocate for peace, education and the outdoors. Ultimately, he was a lifelong role model of determination and persistence coupled with moral conviction and caring.

Fafa joyfully spent hours whacking a small black ball against the white walls of the University Club squash courts. His passion for the game was matched only by his sportsmanship and the genuine kindness he extended to everyone around him. Through his athletic endeavors, which also included kayaking, cycling and skiing, he assembled a cherished group of friends and admirers, appreciative of his warmth, grace, and idiosyncrasies alike - whether in competition for multiple age group state squash championships, getting lost in the woods on his bike from Arcadia, RI to Ascutney VT, or careening down the slopes in his 70’s to the amazement of younger counterparts.

A bonafide patron of the arts, Roger loved the RI Philharmonic (season’s tickets since the early 70s!), ballet, theater, and artists of all types and media. He collected an eclectic mix of art from a wide range of local artists, support of whom he considered part of his mission and passion. His collection is a fitting metaphor for his life, its own work of art, a collage whose beauty is sometimes unvarnished and raw, while other times quietly refined - but is ultimately complete and gorgeous in its acknowledged imperfection, and unquestionably alive.

A Celebration of Life, consistent with Roger’s unique spirit, will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in RI. Details will be forthcoming on this page as those plans become solidified. In the meantime, we invite you to follow the words of Fafa: “be healthy, be happy, be kind, be nice.”

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Your Memories

March 16, 2026

Roger was my friend’s “cool dad “ who was always more than welcome to join us on our adventures. He was always fun to be around and I have many great memories of our times together.

Garrett Reisman

March 12, 2026

When we loose someone we love
We must learn not to live without them
But to live with the love they left behind

Valentin

March 8, 2026

Great guy and Brother. He will be missed by all.

Gregory Gutter

March 7, 2026

It is with deep sadness that I received the news of Roger’s passing ! Roger and I practiced together for several years in the late 70’s at my office in Providence-we became partners for 3 years ! Roger was a unique individual, doing things his way with great passion and enthusiasm ! After we dissolved our partnership, I would continue to see Roger at dental meetings, the University Club or various social functions and always enjoyed our interactions ! I also knew Bruce, tangentially, through wrestling in high school even before I met Roger !
We have all lost a wonderfully caring dentist, acquaintance, friend, father, grampa, brother ! God’s speed Roger !

Philip Barr

March 3, 2026

We became neighbors with Roger during the chaotic days of the COVID pandemic. He made everything feel “normal” or at least manageable at a time when uncertainty touched every part of our lives. That’s exactly what we needed, someone who could see the bright side even in the hardest times.

Roger was a positive force in our lives and an inspiration to our kids. He once told our kid, “You inspired me to take piano lessons again!” Whenever I asked him if the kids’ violin practice was disturbing him, he would say it only brought him joy. Roger, it was my turn to give you tickets to concerts (All State Orchestra) this spring, and I was waiting for you to return home.

We will miss your positivity and endless energy. (Here’s a recent example of Roger’s upbeat spirit. In one of his last texts he said “Good insulation for a while!”, talking about the historic blizzard of 2026! )

As Roger’s email signature read, “be healthy, be happy, be kind, be nice.”

Ebru Erginbas

March 3, 2026

We came to know Roger too late; he was not only a neighbor, but a dear friend, and an inspiration. Every day, we would observe his wit, resilience, but more importantly, his love of life. I was still counting on him even in his last days, without knowing they were his last days. When he was diagnosed with cancer, I told him that if there was anyone who could beat cancer, it was him. Now, I feel remorse for not saying a proper goodbye. Even a week before, he was offering us tickets to RI Ballet.

Roger was a unique man, a humanist at heart, a lover of all things art, but more importantly, a genuine human being who cared for others.

I do not think there will ever be any other Roger. This shows the impact he had on people. We will dearly miss him and always cherish his memory.

Vefa Erginbas

March 2, 2026

I am saddened by Roger’s passing. I met him over 30 years ago at the University Club. Roger’s passion for squash, biking, skiing and his love of the arts, and his beloved animals made him a well rounded individual. He was also my Dentist and many of my visits to his office I would see many Rhode Island dignitaries waiting to see him. We should remember that Roger lived not that he passed away.

James Leach

March 2, 2026

Roger was my dentist for more than 20 years. I so enjoyed the art in his office, being greeted by his dog, and receiving my dental care from a man wearing socks but no shoes. His staff loved him and the warmth of the office was palpable.

The word unique is overused, but certainly fits our Roger. He will be sorely missed. May his memory be a blessing.

Fox Wetle

March 2, 2026

I posted comments about Roger on Facebook a few days ago. These are my comments.

Dr. Roger Carlsten, DDS became my friend +25 years ago and I learned quickly he was truly a unique fellow. We met at The University Club in Providence where we both played squash. But our friendship really did not take off until Spring 2004 when a common female friend suggested we join her and others for a 150-mile weekend bike ride to raise money for MS research. That first MS event became 5 in total that Roger and I did together. The rides were 75 miles on a Saturday with lodging at some college dorm and then 75 miles on Sunday before getting back to the start line of day 1. For our second MS event, we increased the first day ride from 75 miles to 100 miles and then still did 75-mile on the second day. But that year we went well beyond the planned route for the 100-mile option as we did not pay attention and did the 25-mile optional loop twice for a total day mileage of 125 miles. Later in 2004 he became my family dentist which last more 20 years as he retried a few years ago.

I considered Roger to be a renaissance man as he enjoyed the arts whether RISD museum, sidewalk art shows, a trip to Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to season tickets to both Providence Ballet and Providence Philharmonic. He excelled in pushing himself to extremes in any sport: biking, skiing, squash, kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.

But his concern for fellow man is what I most admired about him. Generous to a fault, he would loan money to “friends” on a handshake; support liberal causes because it was the correct thing to do. But, even with his financial success, he could pinch a nickel tighter than anyone else I knew! One Sunday, he called me to ask if he could borrow my Ford F-150 pickup, I said yes but it meant I had to drive it. So off we went around Providence in pursuit of a sofa on the side of the road that to him looked like it had just fallen off an Ethan Allen truck. I did not quite see it that way and strongly suggested he not pick it up because it could be full of bugs!

Last year he was diagnosed with a form of cancer that required shortening his esophagus and part of his stomach. He embraced chemo and radiation with same determination of any sport-lean into it and don’t give up. We thought it was in remission and then after Thanksgiving he told me it came back and was in his lungs.

I saw him two weeks ago. I hugged him and he hugged back. Just a couple of guys that had shared everyday life experiences for a long time that brought us closer together each year. I did not know it would be our last meeting. Tonight, I remembered a birthday poem I wrote for him 3 years ago and I share a few lines with you:

“He is getting older but never old
God made him and broke the mold.
Good skin has he
No wrinkles to see.
Do da
Do da

To me he’s just ol Roger
Mature, but no old codger.
Pumps his bike over 20 miles per hour
Whipper snapas give way, then cower.
Do da
Do da

He’s my friend
And that will never end.
He’s like my brodda
From a different mudda!
Do da
Do da

Wrote this poem just for him,
So his BDay won’t be grim.
So my buddy, and best friend
To you a long life, may it never end.
Do da
Do da”

On Thursday this week he died just 10 days short of his 80th birthday. Pictures are of some aspects of our MS rides and the one in the forest was during a several hour snow shoe adventure through fresh snow several miles from his house in VT. Guys weekend only plus our dogs! Roger was an Air Force veteran. He is survived by 3 dynamic adult children, several grandchildren and many, many friends.

“So, my buddy, and best friend
To you a long life, may it never end.

Do da
Do da”

William Kinnan Austin

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