Karl Fagin, 93, passed away on March 14 in Jacksonville, Fla.
He was born Oct. 31, 1913 in Los Angeles Cal., the only son of Harry Lynn Fagin and Ella Woodward Fagin.
He lived a colorful and vibrant life. At the age of 15, Karl restored the old family touring car and drove his mother across the United States from Los Angeles, Cal. to New York City. There he worked part time as a ‘runner’ on Wall Street, while he put himself through night high school at C.C.N.Y. With kind help from his cousin Marshall Fagin and his family, he then went to school at Texas A&M, graduating in the class of 1941 in petroleum engineering. Not long after he became accredited in the professions of electrical, mechanical, and finally space technology engineering, working for such firms as U.S. Rubber, General Electric, and Martin Marietta, where he was awarded several significant patents.
During WWII, Mr. Fagin served in the defense shipbuilding industry in the production of destroyer escorts at Bath Iron Works in Bath.
He leaves his wife, Vivian Robles Fagin of Jacksonville, Fla.; sons, Frederick L. Fagin of Coopers Mills, and William L. Fagin of Delray Beach, Fla.; daughter, Suellen Darcy Fagin-Allen of Orlando, Fla.; along with numerous personal and professional friends around the country. His sons were born of his marriage to his first wife, Ritchie Eileen Hunnibell of New York City and Alna, who predeceased him many years ago; and his daughter was born of the union with his second wife, Eleanor Dorsey of Maryland and Orlando, Fla., who also passed away over 20 years ago. Karl Fagin was blessed with six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He loved his family tenderly and faithfully, and was dearly loved, respected, and appreciated by them all, who grieve his loss, but celebrate his rich and happy life.
Karl was gifted with an inventive and creative mind, interested in many things, and was an avid lover of the great outdoors – the sea and sailing. He was a ham radio operator (W1SJH), and was a talented and accomplished still-life photographer, creating wonderful images of his children, pets, flowers, insects, and the seasons. He was also an animal lover, who cherished the friendship and companionship of his pets.
Friends and family are encouraged to send donations in Karl’s name to the Nature Conservancy, Attn. Treasury, 4245 N Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203, or go to http://www.nature.org/ and see the first result on Google.
