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Carl was born in Evanston, IL on April 19, 1928. He graduated from Evanston Township High School then served in the US Army in Japan following World War II. He studied at the University of Heidelberg in Germany and at the University of Paris and earned a degree in mathematics from Northwestern University in 1952. On September 6, 1952, Carl married Florence (Flo) Woodman. Always adventurous, the two immediately moved to New York where he worked for a bond trading firm. Following his passion for law, he earned a JD degree from DePaul University in Chicago. In 1959, he moved his family to Orinda and initially began working for Kaiser Aluminum in Oakland. After passing the California Bar, he began practicing Worker's Compensation
Law and was a longtime partner with the law firm of Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer and Jensen. All the while, he was a steward of the Orinda Community. He was vital to securing the formation of the Orinda Community Center, the incorporation of the City of Orinda, the preservation of Orinda Theater and the formation of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. He also served in many civic capacities including the Orinda Association, chairman of the Planning Commission, the Trees Committee, and the Historical Society. He was selected Citizen of the Year in 1970 and volunteer of the year by the Orinda Association in 1989 and again in 1998. Carl was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, and was a faithful attendee of Cal Shakes, A.C.T., Berkeley Rep, the SF Symphony, the SF Opera, and the Lamplighters. Carl, as an Eagle Scout, was also dedicated to scouting, and served as a counselor for the Citizenship merit badge. He was deeply involved in the daily lives of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and most Saturday mornings he could be found at Geppetto's in Orinda with various family members.
Carl is survived by his loving wife Flo of 65 years, devoted children Joe (Judith) of Portola Valley, Wendy Thorpe of Walnut Creek, Nat (Jill) of Moraga, Liz Witbeck (Ray) of Orinda, Gretchen Latimer (Jim) of Orinda and his grandchildren: Natalie Munoz (Rene), Elle Koleckar (Kevin), Joanna Warden (Jamie), Matt Weber, Andrew Thorpe, Ted Weber, Allie Weber, Sam Weber, Tim Witbeck, Katie Latimer, Nick Latimer, Hannah Witbeck, and Jay Latimer. Carl also had 6 great grandchildren: Grace, Shepherd and Carpenter Koleckar, Lucas and Michael Munoz, and Avery Warden. Just five weeks earlier, Carl was predeceased by his brother Peter (Regina). He is also survived by his sister Natalie of Sierra Madre. His welcoming and friendly presence will be missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life was held at the Orinda Community Center on Saturday November 25, 2017.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA