Viding Baldauf Karlberg, also known fondly as Karl, Brod, Pop, Dad, Mr. K., Uncle Viding, Uncle Brod, and Opa, left us peacefully on July 25, 2024, at home and surrounded by family.
Karl was born on July 2, 1930 in Hamilton Township, NJ, the second child of Eva Baldauf Karlberg and Viding Karlberg. Karl was predeceased by his older sister, Katrine E. DeAngelo, and is survived by a younger brother, John E. Karlberg (Ada Mae) of Wellsboro, PA.
Karl spent much of his youth in Hamilton Township. He moved to Bucks County as a teenager, residing along the Delaware River in Center Bridge, PA. The love he developed for the river would never fade. He graduated from New Hope-Solebury High School in 1949 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952, serving until 1955. In the Navy, Karl served aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Intrepid. His Navy service allowed Karl to visit many places around the globe, encouraging a lifelong curiosity about the world and a love of travel. After completing his military service, Karl attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI where he met the love of his life, Renate Damm. Karl and Renate were married in 1957.
In 1961, Karl returned with Renate and the first two of their three children to Bucks County. It is here that Karl established himself as a refrigeration and air conditioning technician. He and Renate founded New Hope Refrigeration, a 24/7 business that gave Karl (and later, his son, Viding E.) contact to many individuals and businesses in the community, something he cherished over the years.
Adjoining his work and family life, Karl was a member of the New Hope Eagle Volunteer Fire Company, the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) Trenton Chapter, the American Legion Post 79, the New Hope-Solebury Lions Club, the Cemetery Committee at Carversville Christian Church, and the Zoning Hearing Board of Plumstead Township. He was also a committed bun baker at the Central Bucks Senior Center in Doylestown for many years.
Karl lived life with enthusiasm. In particular he enjoyed the Delaware River, music, dancing, traveling, and appreciating the art of Bucks County. Later in life he diligently kept up with and took care of aging friends.
Karl is survived by his wife of 67 years, Renate Karlberg and their three children: Maria K. Karlberg Levin (Roger), Viding E. Karlberg (Sandy), and Inge Karlberg-Stannik (Christoph), as well as six grandchildren: Naomi Levin, Jessica Brody (Steve), Anni Levin, Nils Stannik (You Rui Yeo), Yana Stannik (Ian Taylor), and Stina Stannik, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. Predeceasing him were some of his best canine buddies: Blackie, Duchess, Asta, Kelly, Senta, Joy and Leika.
The family thanks the team of women, known as Doylestown Health Hospice, for guiding Karl so lovingly from this earth. They provided the compassion, encouragement, and knowledge needed to care for him and for his survivors. Heartfelt thanks to Imogen, Jeanne, Traci, Wendy, Brandy, Kaitlyn, Tabitha, Alisha, Jan, Cassie, and Celia.
A celebration of Karl’s life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Carversville Christian Church, 3736 Aquetong Road, in Carversville, PA 18913. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be considered to Doylestown Health Hospice, 4259 W. Swamp Road, Suite 204, Doylestown, PA 18902 (donation by check) or https://doylestownhealthfoundation.org/donate/.
(online, DESIGNATION dropdown menu selection “Other” and then manual entry of “Doylestown Health Hospice”) OR Doctors Without Borders, P. O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030 (donations made by check ) or https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/ (online).
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