Wednesday, June 5, 2024
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One day in summer 1953 Carl came to see who was making a tiny-engine noise in his countryside Ottawa area neighbourhood, to which my family had just moved, and his curiosity and engagement with this fellow hobbyist was the beginning of a long friendship, and mentorship on his part, he being 2 years my senior and much further advanced into any subject. We rode the school bus together through high school, sharing thoughts and ideas on all things under the sun and spent much time flying combat control-line, free-flight and his gliders. He started motorbiking with a Wizzer motorized bicycle and after some time got a 1000cc Ariel Square Four and with his flair for bravado impressed the less technical bikers in the Ottawa-Hull area with the "supercharger" on the side of the cylinders, that was made from just the bottom of a polished cooking pot – ever the jokester. He branched out into scramblers and also became the Canadian importer of Bultaco Motorcycles and sold me one of my favourite bikes, the 200cc Sherpa N. After his move to Fredericton his home was my destination of several trips, mostly by touring motorcycle. His house was a refuge from the world of conventional consumerism -- a virtual museum, with things like issues of Life magazine from the early 40's lying around like they were current, and grand furniture even older. Technical creativity reigned supreme within that house with its design office and its basement machine shop. In the garage was always his latest Wankel engine creation on a test stand, ready to scream to deafening life and a prop-wash gale at the push of a starter button. These are the little things that I was privy to as a friend but was aware also of his far-reaching and admirable exploits in the world of engineering. I will always remember Carl as a good-humoured and friendly and accomplished creative genius and offer my deepest sympathy to all his loved ones for their loss. Frank Stokes, Ottawa.
