Captain Karl William Eiben, United States Air Force
At his home in Carlsbad, CA on Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2022, Karl William Eiben, beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather, accomplished his earthly mission at the age of 66 after a brave journey with Alzheimer’s disease. A true gentleman and scholar, Karl is remembered most for his kindness and generosity, his humility despite his brilliant intellect, and for being a great conversationalist. His love of family and country defined him. He was a warm-hearted, friendly guy with a witty sense of humor who loved celebrating life and walking with Christ, finding joy in the journey.
Karl grew up in a neighborhood of close families on Leete Street in West Haven, CT. He attended West Haven High School, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1978 from the University of Connecticut where he became an avid fan of the Huskies women’s basketball team. As an ROTC graduate, he joined the United States Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant, assigned to El Segundo Air Force Station where he helped pioneer the integration of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems into military aircraft and ships. Upon completion of reserve training, Karl earned the title of Captain, U.S. Air Force. Karl continued to pursue his avionics passion throughout his 36-year career, working with Norden Systems Inc., Mitre Corporation, ARINC Inc., Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, and Booz Allen Hamilton Engineering Services, mainly as principal engineer and team leader in defense contract support. During his career, Karl also earned an MS degree in Engineering Management and an Executive MBA from the University of New Haven.
Karl is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Arlene Wall Eiben, three devoted sons, Michael of Carlsbad, CA, Patrick (Alexis) of New York City, Kevin of Carlsbad, CA, and daughter-in-law Brittany O’Keefe Eiben. He is also survived by his three sisters, Nancy (Thomas) Dometios of Hamden, CT, Judy (Nabil) Amarah of Danbury, CT, and Janice (Lawrence) Pellegrino of Stratford, CT. Our beloved “Papa” also leaves his legacy to his grandson Matthew “Matty” Eiben and many nieces and nephews with whom he shared his fun-loving spirit and held so dear.
Karl is predeceased by his parents, Dorothy Caroline Long Eiben and Henry Louis Eiben; and by his infant son, Christopher Michael.
Since 2015, as a selfdeclared “science guy,” Karl actively participated in four clinical trials for Alzheimer’s research as well as the UC San Diego Alzheimer’s longitudinal study. In keeping with his kind and generous spirit, Karl chose to donate his brain and eyes to assist in research toward the cure for Alzheimer’s. The family requests that donations be sent to Alzheimer’s San Diego (3635 Ruffin Rd., Unit 300, San Diego, CA 92123, or www.alzsd.org ).
Arrangements are being made with Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside, CA. Bicoastal Roman Catholic Masses and Celebrations of Karl’s Life will be held in the Springtime. Details will be shared on the Eternal Hills Mortuary website ( www. eternalhillsmortuary.com ). following in her trail.
“I never expected this!” Walters said in 2004, taking stock of her success. “I always thought I’d be a writer for television. I never even thought I’d be in front of a camera.”
But she was a natural on camera, especially when plying notables with searing questions.
“I’m not afraid when I’m interviewing, I have no fear!” Walters told The Associated Press in 2008.
In a voice that never lost its trace of her native Boston accent or its substitution of Ws-for-Rs, Walters lobbed blunt and sometimes giddy questions, often sugarcoated with a hushed, reverential delivery.
“Offscreen, do you like you?” she once asked actor John Wayne, while Lady Bird Johnson was asked whether she was jealous of her late husband’s reputation as a ladies’ man.
In May 2014, she taped her final episode of “The View” amid much ceremony to end a five-decade career in television (although she continued to make occasional TV appearances ). During a commercial break, a throng of TV newswomen she had paved the way for — including Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric, Robin Roberts and Connie Chung — posed for a group portrait.
“I have to remember this on the bad days,” Walters said quietly, “because this is the best.”
Her career began with no such inklings of majesty.
Walters graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1943 and eventually landed a “temporary,” behind-thescenes assignment at “Today” in 1961. Shortly afterward, what was seen as the token woman’s slot among the staff ’s eight writers opened. Walters got the job and began to make occasional on-air appearances with offbeat stories such as “A Day in the Life of a Nun” or the tribulations of a Playboy bunny. For the latter, she donned bunny ears and high heels to