Carl J. Poppe, 98
Carl Joseph Poppe, 98, was born and grew up in New Bremen. He was the second child of Clara Dicke Poppe and Lewis Poppe. Carl graduated from New Bremen High School and attended a business school in Lima before enlisting in the Navy early in World War II. In the war, he served in fire control on the USS Core, an aircraft carrier, in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The Navy sent Carl to study physics at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in New York. After discharge from the Navy, Carl completed his degree at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Carl began his career as an engineer at a refinery in Oregon, Ohio and a few years later, became a state registered engineer.
Carl was introduced to Dorothy Ziegenfelder at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by his sister. Dorothy and Carl were married on April 25, 1948. It was the beginning of a 72-year love story — a love affair that survived until her last moment on this earth when she passed away Oct. 19 at home with Carl at her side. After she passed away, Carl missed his life partner so greatly — he survived 72 days before joining her in heaven, passing away on Dec. 30.
When first married, Dorothy and Carl lived in or near Toledo. They had two sons – Jeff and Bruce who were born in Toledo. Carl enjoyed planning and driving the family on road trips and many camping trips from Ohio to New England, Florida, Colorado, Wyoming and most states in between.
As Carl advanced in his engineering career, Dorothy and Carl left their ‘hearts’ and extended families in Ohio and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and a few years later to Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 1983, Dorothy and Carl moved west to Carlsbad, California where Carl found a job near Jeff, his wife, Anita, and their four children. Dorothy and Carl spent many hours babysitting Jeff and Anita’s young children, and watching Katrina and Jillian’s ballet performances. There were so many Nutcrackers and school graduations!
Dorothy and Carl were devoted members of San Dieguito United Methodist Church for over 30 years. They enjoyed the friendships developed at the church over all those years.
Carl enjoyed analyzing companies and the stock market. He was an avid follower of technical market indicators as well as company fundamentals. Even in his last years, he loved using the internet to research potential stock investments. Carl was quite a handyman around the house. He did many home improvement projects including making bedrooms in the attic, enclosing porches and designing and building driveways and garages.
Carl was passionate about playing card games and loved playing Pinochle, Bridge and Hearts with friends or family. He was especially energized when playing Euchre with Dorothy, Anita, and Jeff, and also with his granddaughter Katrina and her husband, Abe. Carl loved analyzing his opponents’ tactics and getting the most out of the cards he was dealt.
Carl is survived by his son Jeff and his wife Anita in Bellevue, Washington and their four adult children: Jonathan of Seattle, Washington; Katrina (Abe Lloyd) of Bellingham, Washington; Jillian of Seattle and Derek of Berlin, Germany; two great-grandchildren: Kaz and Mila Poppe of Seattle and his son Bruce in Houston, Texas. A memorial service celebrating Carl’s life will be at Dorothy and Carl’s home at 3007 Quebrada Circle, Carlsbad, CA on at noon on Sunday, Jan. 31.