Carl Richard Arvidson

Carl Richard Arvidson, of Dublin, NH, went home to be with the Lord—and to reunite with his beloved wife Louise—on October 14, 2025, just seven weeks shy of his 92nd birthday.

Born on December 1, 1933, in Dedham, MA, to Swedish-American parents Karl and Vera Arvidson, Carl—known as Dick—spent a joyful childhood alongside his brother Paul, digging deep holes in their backyard and burying their toys.

After graduating from Norfolk County Agricultural High School, with training in floral design, Dick served in the U.S. Army as a cook. He then built a distinguished career as a corrections officer at the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Norfolk, MA.

In October 1957, Dick married the love of his life, Louise Berglund. Her father helped him build their home in Norfolk, MA, where they became active members of Emmanuel Baptist Church. In true army fashion, Dick made breakfast most mornings for his three sons— even once on the tailgate of a moving station wagon during family vacation! He travelled annually with family and friends through the USA, Scandinavia, and Bermuda. Alongside his full-time job, he constructed a greenhouse and ran a flower shop from home. His lovely arrangements for family and friends were the center of holidays, birthdays, weddings, church services, and his favorite—smorgasbord dinner dances.

After retiring at age 55, Dick and Louise relocated to Dublin, NH, and joined Mountain View Bible Church. They also continued their membership in the Scandinavian dance communities. Often dressing in traditional Scandinavian costume, Dick was a passionate advocate and teacher of Scandinavian dance, as well as an accomplished square, round, and folk dancer. The couple danced together for decades as members of Nordic Lodge #611 in Shrewsbury, MA; Sovittaja Park in Rutland, MA; the Square Dance Foundation of New England; Revontulet Dancers of Fitchburg, MA; Monadnock Squares; and Cloud Busters of Peterborough, NH. Dick continued dancing into his 90s.

When he wasn’t dancing or arranging flowers, Dick kept his hands busy maintaining flower gardens around his home and annually propagating a heritage Italian tomato given to him by the family of a prisoner. He was also skilled at cross-stitching, puzzles and card games. He was proud of the money he saved by do-it-yourself home maintenance, and loved completing “honey-do” lists to Louise’s satisfaction. He learned basic piano as a child and later taught himself accordion—partly inspired by Myron Floren on The Lawrence Welk Show, which the family watched every Saturday night while he taught his sons to spit-shine their shoes for Sunday services. While accordion was for his own enjoyment, he bravely accompanied his grandchildren and friends in performances at Scandinavian dinner dances.

In his later years, Dick lovingly cared for his wife, and supported his cousin Alice Mitchell, and several friends as they neared the end of their lives. His unwavering generosity, sense of humor, and deep commitment to family, friends, and faith will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Dick was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Sandy Arvidson and his wife of 60 years, Louise. 

He is survived by his three sons and their wives: Lars and Patty of Jaffrey, NH; Nils and Theresa of Foxboro, MA; Leif and Deb of Harrisville, NH; Five grandchildren: Erik and Jen of Keene, NH; Hannah and Alex Trombly of Swanzey, NH; Trey Arvidson of Keene, NH; Brea Arvidson of Warner, NH; Tori and Dom Hackey of Midlothian, VA; and 7 ¾ great-grandchildren: Jacob, Hailey and Zoe Arvidson; Jonah and Charlotte Trombly; Noah and Micah Hackey and their soon to arrive baby brother. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Dick’s family extends appreciation to Shirley Mattson, and Laurie and Mark Brockelman for their loving care and friendship.

A service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Mountain View Bible Church in Dublin, NH. The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be made to: Mountain View Bible Church, 81 Page Rd, Dublin, NH 03444; Home Healthcare Hospice & Community Services (hcsservices.org/donate); Nordic Lodge #611, 5 Wilder Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545; and Finnish Heritage Society-Sovittaja, 34 Finn Park Rd, Rutland, MA 01543.