Karl A Pfitzer

Karl Adalbert Pfitzer Obituary May 20, 1939 – February 14, 2026

Karl Adalbert Pfitzer, age 86, passed away peacefully on February 14, in Corona, CA surrounded by his family.

Born in Salzburg, Austria, Karl’s childhood was shaped by the hardships of World War II. Those early experiences instilled in him humility, resilience, and a lifelong gratitude for peace and opportunity. He later immigrated to the United States, where his natural curiosity and disciplined work ethic led to a distinguished career contributing to the American space program. Karl was an Evans Scholar recipient and attended the University of Minnesota where he received his Doctorate in Physics. During Karl’s time at the university, he met Marge during a square dancing event on campus. They married in 1964. Upon graduating, Karl took a job in California at McDonnell Douglas which later became Boeing. As a physicist, he played an integral role in the design and development of instruments that expanded humanity’s understanding of space. In 1998, Karl was named a Senior Technical Fellow for his many achievements.

Karl was widely respected for his precision, fairness, and integrity. He believed knowledge carried responsibility and that discovery required patience and truth. A dedicated mentor, he generously shared his expertise with students and colleagues, always striving to make the complex understandable. Karl also loved to create, build, and fix things.

Karl retired from Boeing in 2004 after 35 years of employment. In retirement, Karl and Marge enjoyed traveling and building their summer home in Ottertail, Minnesota. Spending summers on the lake was their happy place inviting family and friends to spend time enjoying the serenity of the lake.

Above all, Karl was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Marge, whose partnership anchored his life. They were married for 62 years. He was a loving father to his 6 children, grandfather, and great grandfather who taught by example—valuing honesty, perseverance, curiosity, and gratitude. He cherished family moments especially the many camping trips taken throughout the years with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Marge; his children, Maria (Andy) Bair; Heidi (John) Scholz; Susan Union; James (Patrice) Pfitzer; Kenneth (Julie) Pfitzer; and Kathy (Doug) DiPaolo; his sisters Rosemary (Darrel) Esala and Heidi Luckmann; his brothers Rainer (Carol) Rocheleau, Walter (Erica) Pfitzer and Helmut Pfitzer; his 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren along with extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Karl Pfitzer, his mother Rudolfine Rocheleau, his brother Randy Rocheleau, and grandson Alex Union.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to Evans Scholars Foundation, www.wgaesf.org/memorialgifts

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