Frederick Davenport Carstens, Jr. passed away on Monday, December 16, 2019, after a valiant battle with pneumonia and other competing medical complications.  He is survived by his wife, Merleen; his daughter Cynthia Diane Carstens Whiting; his daughter Cathy Michelle Carstens Trehus and husband, Paul; his son Dennis Ryan Carstens (Bubba) and wife, Fay; his son Richard Todd Carstens (Tiger) and wife, Laura; and 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.  He is also survived by his brother, Emmett Ronald Carstens (a.k.a. Dutch) and wife, Gene; and his sister, Laurie Eveline Winkler, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fred was a Texan, born and raised in Houston.  He spent his younger days playing in the bayou and flying model airplanes.  He and his brother collected metal for the war effort.  He was a hard worker with numerous jobs in his youth, beginning with a position delivering drugstore goods in his neighborhood.  He attended Reagan High School, marrying his high school sweetheart, Merleen Arnold.  After studying at the Rice Institute for two years, he volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving in the Signal Corp in the Panama Canal Zone. After successfully serving our country, he returned to his college studies, earning a Bachelor Degree in Geology from the Rice Institute in 1959.  Fred's dedication led to a 55-year career in the oil and gas industry.  Starting on a siesmic survey crew, his responsibilities grew as he transitioned into oil and gas exploration geophysics with leadership roles as a chief geophysicist at CONOCO and subsequent leadership roles with several oil and gas exploration companies.  He rounded out his career as an independent consulting geophysicist.  Fred didn't tally the successful oil wells his interpretations recommended, nor the dry wells his interpretations avoided.  He is known in the industry for his friendship, advocacy, and stable temperament.  He was known to be an ethical professional, with comprehensive expertise, and an impeccable rigor to his work.

Fred's life was committed to family, play, and adventure too.  During Fred and Merleen's 66-year marriage, they lived in many locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Alaska.  He enjoyed traveling throughout the western United States with his family and sharing his knowledge of geology.  He and his family had adventures to many national parks and wilderness areas, packing everyone in the station-wagon for memorable camping and skiing vacations.  During retirement, Fred and Merleen continued to enjoy traveling around the United States in their RV.  He often commented that he was, "driving Miss Daisy" on all their trips.

As an avid rock collector, Fred has boxes of rocks and minerals from most of the western U.S. as well as north Africa, and Central America.  In his youth, Fred developed an interest in aviation, learning to build and fly model airplanes.  His love of aviation evolved as he earned his private pilot license while living in Alaska; he flew airplanes well into his seventies.  He also remained active in model aviation in his later years and successfully competed in national model airplane free flight contests during his retirement summers in Colorado.  Fred also learned to captain a sailboat and introduced sailing to his family.  He enjoyed playing softball, bowling, and golfing.  Part of his sons' right of passage included sharing in the aggravation of golf on Saturdays.  He shared his love of football and cars with his family.  Fred was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed doodlebugging, camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing.  Fred had an infectious laugh.  As a grandparent, "Pawpaw" was adored by his grandchildren and he loved doing thoughtful things for them, including never missing high school graduations for grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Fred was as wise as he was fun.  He gave counsel to friends when requested.  He was a listening ear for many friends and relatives.  He was the strong one, on whom people leaned during challenging times, and he accepted this mantle as part of his being.  Fred made a difference in many lives.  He was a great son, brother, husband, father, Pawpaw, colleague, friend, and mentor.  His impact on others remains and we will forever cherish the gift of his life.