Carlin Kielcheski Obituary

Kielcheski
Carlin John
Kielcheski
November 6, 1934
June 5, 2025

Carlin was born in Phillips, Wisconsin in 1934 to Grace and Carl Kielcheski. He had two siblings, Nina Kielcheski Komatz and Kieth Kielcheski. Carlin grew up in the Flambeau Forest where his father was a forester. His childhood was spent hunting, fishing, trapping, and riding horses in the remote woods. Even as a young child, Carlin learned about "The Magic Pencil" that allowed him to draw horses. His love of art expanded to drawing scenery for all the places he visited and Western scenes depicting his love of the ranching and cattle lifestyle.
Carlin attended the University of Wisconsin at Superior where he earned a Bachelors and a Masters Degree, joined ROTC, and graduated as a Second Lieutenant. He also met his wonderful wife Shirley H. Paulson at the University and they were married in 1957.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1980 in a career that took him from Florida, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and eventually to the United States Air Force Academy. Carlin spent twenty years teaching art at the Academy which included studio art and art history. His students were able to explore everything from painting, sculpture, to bronze casting in the studio course. Many of his fellow professors joined Carlin during their lunch hour for a brown bag course where they were able to create their art as well. He served as a combat illustrator in Vietnam in 1968 painting the unique missions of every air plane used in the war. Carlin completed a Masters Degree at Colorado College and his Ph.D. at Arizona State University allowing him to continue as a full professor at the Air Force Academy. He was also a visiting Professor of Fine Arts in Sri Lanka.
In 1980 Carlin retired from the Air Force and began a second teaching career, first at the University of Denver and later teaching high school art in Falcon District 49. He continued to keep horses for riding with friends and family. At that time, he became the President of the Pikes Peak Water Color Society and continued to develop his painting skills. He and Shirley went to India as Fulbright Scholars and continued to travel extensively around the globe.
In January 2020, Carlin published his Vietnam Memoir, titled Short Rounds: From a Sketch Pad, A Vietnam Vet's Visual Voice in which he shared his memories and artwork from his tour in Vietnam.
Carlin is survived by his wife, Shirley, daughters GayLynn Kielcheski and Carla Joy Kielcheski Sides, her husband Chug, their sons Colin and Colby, Colby's wife Maria, and great granddaughters Camila and Remi, as well as his sister Nina Komatz.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Carlin's funeral will be held at First Lutheran Church at 11:30 a.m. on June 24th. The burial will be at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery at 10 a.m. on June 24th.