Richard Carlson, author of the best-selling Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, has died at age 45.
It became known this weekend that Carlson died Wednesday after falling ill on a flight from San Francisco to New York as part of a tour to promote his new book, Don't Get Scrooged, said Julie Mitchell, spokeswoman for HarperSanFrancisco, Carlson's publisher.
Carlson died of an apparent heart attack.
A psychologist, Carlson advocated tackling life with good humor, positive thinking and perspective.
Born and raised in the east San Francisco Bay Area, Carlson got a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University and a doctorate in psychology from Sierra University.
Also among his 20 books was Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love, co-written with Kris Carlson, his wife of 25 years.
Survivors include his wife and their two teenage daughters, Jasmine and Kenna; and his parents, Barbara and Don Carlson of Orinda.
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