Carl Edward Powers

Carl Edward Powers was born on July 28, 1951, in Meriden, Connecticut, the firstborn and only son of Edward and Gina (Turelli) Powers. Growing up with three younger sisters, he developed the thoughtfulness and care that would guide him throughout his life.

Carl spent his childhood in ways those who knew him as an adult might not have expected. He was rambunctious and a bit of a troublemaker. Between exploring the woods around his home, pulling pranks on his mother alongside his best friend, the late Dennis Ogurick, and experimenting with chemicals in high school science class — an experiment that led to a school-wide evacuation and some missing eyebrows for a few months — it was clear Carl had an adventurous side.

After earning salutatorian honors at Wilcox Technical High School in 1969, he continued his studies at the University of Connecticut. In 1974, Carl was recruited by Hughes Aircraft Company, an opportunity that allowed him to begin his career while simultaneously completing his master’s degree in aerospace engineering at UCLA. He later went on to a successful career with Hughes Aircraft and Boeing.

In 1977, Carl traveled to Connecticut to serve as best man at the wedding of Dennis and Joan Ogurick. While there, he met Karen Bulmer, a maid of honor, who would later become his wife.

Carl and Karen Powers were married on December 18, 1982. Karen joined Carl in Torrance, California, where together they raised three children: Callan, Gillian, and Andrew. Carl was a loyal husband, a devoted father, and a kind human being. His love and unwavering support for Karen and their children were second to none.

Carl’s passions extended beyond his career and family to include technology, space, photography, and flying. Whether piloting his small plane, capturing moments behind the camera, tinkering with new ideas, or helping with homework, he approached everything with curiosity, patience, and care. During his distinguished career as an aerospace engineer, Carl played an instrumental role in the Magellan space probe mission, which provided unprecedented insights into Venus’s structure and geological history. Even today, the data collected from this project continues to help scientists make new discoveries.

As devoted to Carl as he was to his family, Karen’s love and care remained steadfast. She stood faithfully by his side through nearly a decade of illness and was there, holding his hand, until the very end.

Carl Edward Powers passed away at age 74, on December 9, 2025, after a long and unforgiving battle with Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Gina (Jean) Powers; his cohort and best friend, Dennis Ogurick; and his beloved aunt, Erma Biestek.

Carl is survived by his wife, Karen Powers; his three children, Callan Powers-Magro (William Magro), Gillian Powers (Christopher Bancroft), and Andrew Powers (Isis Powers Diaz); his two granddaughters, Avery Elizabeth Magro and Dylan Rose Magro; his sisters, Claudia Stancavage (Joe Stancavage), Christine Powers-Kwolek, and Cheryl Powers (Karen Duncan); his uncle, Jack Biestek; and many more family and friends who loved him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Halverson-Stone & Myers Mortuary, located at 1223 Cravens Ave, Torrance, CA, 90501, United States. The service is scheduled for January 17, 2026, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.