Carl was born the son of David and Ella (Palm) Bleil in Detroit, Michigan on October 7, 1923. He was the last of 8 children born by his mother. With the support of older siblings, he was able to succeed in school despite the depression.
He attended Michigan State University for part of 1942 until the US Air Corps drafted him later that year. He was sent to the University of Michigan for Meteorology training, subsequently stationed in several locations around the country and then to Nova Scotia. Carl was able to marry Vera Pennington, his high school sweetheart, in June 1943 in East Lansing.
After the war he completed his Bachelor of Science at Michigan State University, studied for a Masters degree in Physics at the University of Minnesota and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Oklahoma. He liked to say that he had his children by degrees – Janice after his Bachelors, Tim after the move from Minnesota and Alicia after his PhD. Gordon came after starting his first professional job. Carl and Vera raised their family in Birmingham, Michigan. Carl had a distinguished career as a physicist with General Motors for 30 years, obtaining numerous patents while at the GM Tech Center in Warren. He was an active member of Sigma Xi and Sigma Pi Sigma (social) and Pi Mu Epsilon since earning the honor in college. He was a Turning Wheel Toastmasters member for decades.
After Vera passed away in 1969, Carl chose to finish raising the family on his own. The decision to manually build a house as a family was a big part of their lives. Summers and many weekends were spent together in northern Michigan on this project.
After his children were in college he met Dolores Rudolph whom he married in 1979, joining 4 Bleil children with 4 Rudolphs. It is a testament to his relationship with Dolores that the children have become close friends as well as family.
After retiring from GM, he remained interested in materials science, especially the potential to improve the ability of silicon to transform solar energy. He first formed Ribbon Technology, then Energy Materials Research, working through age 92.
Carl is survived by his wife Dolores; children Alicia and Gordon (Leslie) Bleil; stepchildren Gregg Rudolph, Jean Mark, Cheryl Jacques and Jason Rudolph; grandchildren Kathrine Bleil (Thom Fotta), Rebecca (Joe) Wahmheim, Bradley Rudolph, Rachel Rudolph, Alexander Rudolph, Corinne Jacques, Sydney Jacques, Taylore Jacques, Mackenzy Jacques, Jamie Mark, Jenna Mark and Michaela Mark; brother Eugene Bleil; and cousin Claudia Bleil. Carl was predeceased by his first wife Vera Pennington; children Janice Bleil and Timothy Bleil; parents David and Ella (Palm) Bleil; and siblings David (Mildred) Bleil , Hope (Don) Bates , Ruth (Frank) Richards, Marvin (Florence) Bleil, and June (James) Jerkins.
Carl’s family plans to celebrate his life. They will welcome all for a visitation on Sunday July 14th from 1-4 PM with funeral Service to follow at 4 PM at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 322 W. University Drive in downtown Rochester, Michigan. There will be a Military Graveside Service at Great Lakes National Cemetery (4200 Belford Rd, Holly, MI) at 0900 Monday 15 July 2019.
