Karl Leonard Goodwalt

Karl Leonard Goodwalt died peacefully at his home in Coupeville on Oct. 12, 2007, with his wife and daughter caring for him. The oldest of five children, he was born April 26, 1926, in San Diego to Enid Isabel (Bain) and Leonard Martin Goodwalt.

Karl played center field for the San Diego High School Cavers, and was scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals. Had he not enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps two days before his 18th birthday, he might have played pro ball, and he was an avid diamond fan his entire life. Karl served with the 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific area during the Occupation of Japan, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

Karl married his “Rosebud,” Dorothy Burns Strebler, on Jan. 23, 1957, inheriting a son and daughter at the same time. From the first, he was a hands-on dad — camping, scouting, exploring the country together, sliding down the fire pole with a kid tucked safely at his side. Known to his fellow firefighters as “Lanky,” Karl rose through the ranks of the Coronado, Calif., fire department to assistant fire chief before his retirement, and was always proud to serve.

Following their daughter and son-in-law to Whidbey Island, Karl and Dorothy built their home next door in 1992, and settled into life in the Pacific Northwest. They traveled to Italy, Switzerland and Scotland, where they visited his mother’s birthplace, Sterling. Although they cruised the Inside Passage, took a paddlewheeler down the Mississippi and rode across Canada by train, they never got to New Zealand and Australia as planned. They did, however, make it to the Island Athletic Club regularly, where Karl enjoyed the camaraderie as much as the steam room.

Karl is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy, of the family home in Coupeville; the children of his heart, if not his blood, daughter Sandey Brandon, also of Coupeville; son Jon Strebler and his wife Lauree, of Chula Vista, Calif.; grandson, Jay Karl Strebler, of Honolulu; granddaughter Heidi and her husband Zach Gardiner, of Austin, Texas; brother Howard Goodwalt and his wife Esther, sister Dorothy and her husband Ben Hollmann, and sister Mary Goodwalt, all of the San Diego area; and many friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his mother and his youngest brother, Everett.

In accordance with Karl’s wishes, no funeral services will be held.

When asked what he wanted for any special occasion, Dad always replied, “Peace and quiet!” You finally got it, Dad.