- Carl Arthur Stapel, 78, died peacefully Feb. 5, 2009, surrounded by his family. Carl was born March 23, 1930, to Arthur and Marie Stapel at home in Menasha, Wisconsin. He was baptized April 27, 1930, at St. Pauls Lutheran in Neenaha/Menasha and confirmed April 18, 1943, at First English Lutheran in Appleton. While at Appleton High School Carl was a mile runner on the track team, and represented the school at the state track meet. He also was involved in many science projects and won national awards for his invention of the optiphone which, long before fiber optics and laser beams, allowed one to speak over a beam of light. For this and other work Carl was made an honorary member of the Wisconsin Academy of Science. He gave many talks about his science experiments across the US during his high school years. Carl was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he was also on the track team and majored in nuclear physics and economics, earning his bachelor's degree in 1953. While there he worked with Dr. Link building the equipment and running the experiments that lead to Warfarin and Coumadin. Carl joined the Naval Reserves while in high school. He was called to active service while at college. He completed his military service as an admiral's radioman and was a junior officer. In 1949 (while he was a student at the university) Carl and his parents Art and Marie purchased the Kitz and Pfeil Hardware business. It was then a 2,000 square foot store on Main Street in Oshkosh. His mother Marie and cousin Harold Springstrogh ran the business while he completed his education and military service. On July 12, 1958, Carl married the love of his life, Leona, at Our Savior's Lutheran in Iron Mountain, MI. In 2008, on the same day, date and time, they were surrounded by hundreds of friends and family as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have two sons: Jim who lives in Oshkosh and Bill who is married to Jackie Spring-Stapel who live in Chicago with their daughter Zo, who brings continual joy into all their lives. Carl is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Marie as well as all his aunts and uncles.
With the help of exceptional co-workers, under Carl's leadership Kitz & Pfeil grew to the five hardware stores (plus power equipment centers and repair shops) that it is today. In the early 1960s Carl wrote the computer programs which made Kitz & Pfeil the first hardware store in the state, and possibly the country, to have computer control of its inventory. This let the hardware stores provide not only excellent service, but also have what people wanted when then needed it. It always pleased Carl that for many years now (including 2008) Kitz & Pfeil has been recognized as being one the top 50 hardware stores in the United States. After his son Jim took over the hardware business, Carl started the Travel Division. For the last 20 years Carl, Leona and Jim have taken thousands of people on group tours around the world. Both in the hardware business and in his travels Carl has made many wonderful and interesting friends, and the family wants you all to know the joy you brought into Carl's life.
Carl was active at his church, First English Lutheran-Oshkosh, where his volunteer activities included servicing on a pastoral call committee and taking photos of the congregation's events, special services and anniversaries. After living in Oshkosh for almost 40 years, Carl and Leona moved back to Appleton. There he joined the Appleton Rotary which afforded him not only the chance for service through the club's activities, but also to regularly meet with friends. While residing in Oshkosh, Carl worked on many community projects (especially those related to improving downtown Oshkosh) and served on numerous boards. He was a past-president of the Wisconsin Retail Hardware Association, Educare (UW-O), Oshkosh Downtown Business Association and the Oshkosh Noon Kiwanis, of which he was a member of over 40 years. In 1993, Carl led the Oshkosh United Way campaign and later with Leona the fund drive for Gabriel's Villa at Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh. For many years Carl served as chairman of the local board of Oshkosh National Bank and its successor banks up to and including Bank One. Some of the boards on which Carl served included CHAMCO, OCDC, the Oshkosh Foundation, The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Oshkosh Parking Utility.
Early on Carl developed a love for photography and while in college started a 45 year run taking football photos for the Wisconsin Badgers. Carl won many awards for his photos and had them featured in national publications. He also produced slide-tape shows of his foreign travels in the 1960s-1980s which he shared with many church and community groups. Later he embraced video media as well and produced video tapes and DVDs of his tours.
A funeral service will be held at First English Lutheran 1013 Minnesota in Oshkosh, WI at 11 a.m. on Thursday Feb. 12th. Visitation will be Wednesday Feb. 11th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Konrad-Behlman (402 Waugoo Ave.) and on Thursday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. The family wishes to thank the people at Cherry Meadows, the Thedacare chaplain and Carl's doctors for the excellent and loving care he received. Special thanks to the pastors of First English-Oshkosh and Carl's many friends, co-workers and relatives for your cards, emails, letters, visits and especially your prayers. God has answered them with the place he has prepared for Carl in heaven.
Memorials to First English-Oshkosh, the Stapel Organ Scholarship fund at First English-Appleton or the charity of choice would be gratefully accepted.
Konrad-Behlman
Funeral Homes
402 Waugoo Ave.
Oshkosh, WI, 920-231-1510
www.konrad-behlman.com
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1930 - 2009 (78 years)
1930 Census
