CAROLINA BEACH — Ulf H. Hellsten was born on October 4, 1934, in Stockholm, Sweden, to Ester M. Helisten and Henning A.A. Hellsten. In December 1938, after his parents divorced, he immigrated to the United States with his mother. They settled in Florida where they both became naturalized citizens in 1951.
In 1953, Ulf enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving until October of 1955. During this time, he worked on the early “MUTT” system—an advanced military robotics project well ahead of its era. After his military service, he attended Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education.
In February of 1961, Ulf joined the United States Air Force, serving with distinction for nearly two decades. His assignments took him to Japan, Korea, Germany, Panama (Canal Zone), and his last at Ft. Fisher in NC, just before retiring in February of 1979.
Following retirement, Ulf settled in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, where he resided for the remainder of his life.
Ulf was a quiet, intelligent, and gentle man who valued both physical and mental fitness. A dedicated athlete, he won multiple gold medals in racquetball at the Senior Games. He earned the gold 3 years straight from 1999 to 2001. Even in 2025, he competed in the 20-meter run as the sole participant in his age group. Chess was his greatest passion, and he remained mentally sharp throughout his life. He also maintained a lifelong curiosity about history and various theories, particularly surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Ulf never married and had no children. Those who knew him remember a deeply private, kind, and thoughtful man—a gentle soul who lived life independently, on his own terms, unconcerned with convention or others’ expectations.
Celebration of Life services to be announced at a later date.
