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WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Richard Carlson, the author who catapulted to national fame in 1997 with the best-seller "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff," died last week of a heart attack while en route to New York City.
The 45-year-old psychologist, of Walnut Creek, Calif., was midway through a tour to promote his newest book, "Don't Get Scrooged," which tackled the issue of holiday stress with his signature mixture of practical tips and clever turns of phrase.
It was the latest in a long line of best-selling books, which had made Carlson a publishing phenomenon and a household name.
Carlson was born and raised in the East Bay. Readers and fans immediately recognized his tousled brown hair and the infectious smile that beamed from the backs of his books. They had seen him on "Oprah," on the "Today" show and in the pages of People magazine. They had read profiles of him and his column in the Contra Costa Times. And if they lived in Martinez or Walnut Creek, where he moved last year, they had spotted him on the sidewalks.
It was an intensely personal connection.
People didn't just buy Carlson's books and write fan letters. They poured out their life stories in long epistles, thanking Carlson for his insights and explaining how his advice had affected them.
"I know how much his books meant to people, how much people loved him," said Michael Barnard, owner of Danville's Rakestraw Books, which stocked all of Carlson's books as they were released.
In a column for the Contra Costa Times, Carlson offered a favorite Maya Angelou quote: "People will forget what you said and what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." He then commented, "I agree, it's not what we do that's so important here on Earth, but who we are."
His weekly column was distributed by the McClatchy-Tribune News Service.
Carlson's words and actions were who he was, a passionate proponent of positive thinking - good humor infused with a hefty dose of perspective when navigating the shoals of daily life. It was a motif that ran through his 20 books, which have been read by 40 million people in 135 countries.
Carlson grew up in Piedmont, Calif., and received his bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University and his doctorate in psychology from Sierra University before opening a private psychotherapy practice. He published his first book in 1985, but it was "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" that topped the best-seller lists for two years and launched his star.
Variations on "Small Stuff" followed, including one - "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love" - which was co-written with his wife of 25 years, Kris Carlson. She also wrote "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women."
Carlson is survived by his wife and their two teenage daughters, Jasmine and Kenna; two sisters, Kathleen Carlson Mowris of Olympic Village and Anna Carlson of La Selva Beach; and his parents, Barbara and Don Carlson of Orinda.
A private memorial service is planned for this week.
The family is requesting that memorial donations be made to local food banks, Challenge Day, Girls Inc. or Children Inc.
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(c) 2006, Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.). Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.
