Obituary of Carl Riedel

Carl E. Riedel Carl, 81, passed away peacefully at home in his favorite chair, on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Carl was born in San Francisco, California on July 6, 1931 to William Carl Riedel and his wife Helen. Living his childhood years in Monterey, he studied at University of California, Berkeley. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. Then he served his country in Germany, Alaska and in the South Pacific. He married his best friend and love of his life Pauli in 1962. Carl is survived by his wife Pauli; his 3 sons, Dennis (Diana), Jon (Kella), Paul (Jana), 3 daughters, Suzanne (Pete) Hudson, June Riedel, Heidi Williams, as well as 18 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren. Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his son Richard. Carl found great pleasure in numerous hobbies throughout his life. It was not unusual to see him plunge headfirst into a new interest that captured his attention. Most often, he stayed with it just long enough to become skilled at it or until a new interest grabbed hold of his curiosity. Photography was one of those interests. He plunged headfirst, taking classes on photography, buying equipment, trekking through the Cascade Mountains. He left us beautiful pictures from all around the world. Of course there was the T-Shirt adventure and who can forget his fascination with movies. Some interests stayed with him longer than others, like collecting coins. He didn’t just collect them; he became a coin “connoisseur”. He left us many memories sitting with one of his kids or grandkids, explaining the unique qualities and rarity of each coin. Carl loved to read, not just the sports page from the middle of the newspaper, no he literally read thousands of books, of numerous genres. He loved history, reading about it, talking about it and experiencing it. This is one reason he developed another hobby, travelling. Carl loved to travel, in part to experience the culture and history of each place he would visit. But most of all he loved to travel with the love of his life, Pauli. They travelled near and afar; from the South Bend, WA to South America, Hawaii to Florida, from the South Pole to Alaska. Europe, Africa, Australia, Mexico, the list can go on and on. Of all the places he travelled, the best place was anyplace with Pauli. Carl was one of the “founding” Seattle Seahawk season ticket holders. From their inauguration in 1976 to the opening of the new stadium, he and Pauli loved to drive to Seattle and sit in his seats with their names engraved on the back reserved for founding Seahawk season ticket holders. Carl loved softball. Carl spent more than 20 years actively involved in softball. Not only was he a great player, competitor, and coach, Carl was a pioneer in Softball. Carl began the USSSA Mixed Softball Program in Washington State, serving as the USSSA Washington State Mixed Program Director. Carl’s enthusiasm and dedication spread beyond Washington State, he developed the National Mixed Program to what it is today, while serving as the National Mixed Program Director. Carl also penned a column Softball Season, posted as “Mr. Softball.” He loved the game and more importantly the people who played. Carl, in many ways was entrepreneur at heart. In California he worked his way through college as a Deputy Sheriff. He later became the National Sales Representative for D.B. Burleson. He left D.B. Burleson and moved north to open the “Wranglers Roost” steakhouse in Tacoma Washington. Unfortunately, just days before the opening, the Restaurant burned to the ground, along with his dream of the “Wranglers Roost”. This was one of many obstacles he faced and overcame throughout his life. It may have been the end of a dream but the beginning of a new resolve to do whatever it takes to provide for his family, including working all night shifts at the local convenience store to driving from Lacey to Everett on a small motorcycle to work as a long Shore man. He never complained, even at times of working more than one job at a time. He worked and owned several businesses through the years, including the one that has stood the test of time “Riedel Adult Family Home” which he and Pauli worked side by side for over 35 years. Carl was a wonderful father and an even better Papa. With each passing year Papa learned to extend his love, in his own special way to each and every one of his children and ever expanding grand and great grandchild. Most of all he was a gracious husband to his loving wife. If you knew anything about Carl you knew that no one or nothing came between him and his bride. He left us great memories for which we are thankful for and which we will sorely miss. We love you my darling, dad and Papa! Please leave memories of Carl or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.