Karl D. Bergquist

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Karl D. Bergquist, age 79, died June 9, 2023, in Cleveland.

Karl was the beloved husband of Carole Bergquist; loving father of Floyd (Joy) Maxwell, Leenie (Jerry) Drellishak, Wendy Maxwell and Kara (Matt) Eck; brother to Gilbert (deceased), Chris (deceased; Sonia), Bob (deceased; Judy), Jon (Bobbi, deceased), George (Joann, deceased), Nik (Judy) and Merrie; grandfather to Stephanie, Donny (Erin), Gevin, Olivia, Tyler, Anna, Ryan, Kyle, Elianna, and Clementine; great-grandfather to Arianna, Celianna, Henry Karl and Maisie; and beloved uncle to so many.

Karl was born a proud "Yooper" in Ironwood, Michigan, in 1943 to George and Gertrude Bergquist (both deceased).

Karl received a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan Technical University in June 1969. After graduating, he was hired by U.S. Steel and moved to McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where he met the love of his life, Carole. Karl and Carole married in 1973. They raised an amazing, chaotic and loving family, and enjoyed traveling the world together.

Karl and his family moved to Rocky River, Ohio, in 1984 where he resided until his death. Karl was hired as a metallurgical engineer by NASA in 1987, and most notably worked on the successful Aries I-X rocket. He worked at NASA for 25 years and was known to be very straightforward and for his dry sense of humor. He commonly pointed out issues by stating, "Well, you know what the problem with this is ... ." He received many awards and commendations over the years including the prestigious "Eeyore Award."

Karl loved jigsaw puzzles, playing golf, and was a Sudoku Master. No one was a more devout Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He loved gardening and building playhouses for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his yard looked like it could have been on the cover of "Better Homes and Gardens." Family was always the most important thing to him, always hosting large gatherings with copious amounts of food. His house is known to the grandchildren as the land of candy and freedom.

His quiet scheming and witty demeanor as well as his patented chuckle will be missed by all that knew him.

Services will be held at New Hope Church, 22960 Lorain Road, in Fairview Park, Ohio, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, followed by light refreshments in the gathering room of the church. Those who would like to join the family for fellowship and food are welcome to stop by the family's house after 6 p.m., at 2890 Wagar Road in Rocky River, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests people consider platelet and plasma donations; monetary donations can be made to the American Red Cross in Karl's name.