Karl Reinhold Vogel

Karl Reinhold Vogel was born on May 26, 1927 to Alfred and Lolle (Dahlman) Vogel in a small Village in Eastern Poland. Karls parents were German Farmers who had settled in Poland. At that time, and for many years prior, it was the practice of governments in Eastern Europe and Russia to invite German Farmers, who were known for their industry, hard work, and success to settle in their countries, to develop previously “empty” areas into productive lands. The German Farmers were singularly successful at this task, and thrived.

Karl spoke fondly of his childhood home. Their residence was made of brick, as many local houses were not, and they had their very own well, which would allow water to flow inside into their kitchen! Clearly the Vogel family was flourishing.

As with millions of others, at an early age, Karls life was swept up in the great human tragedy called World War II. Starting from the mid 1930’s, tension was high between the German Farmers and local Poles. Part of this was jealousy, and part was tension over the military build up which everyone could tell was happening. Karl spoke of locals throwing rocks at him and his father, as they drove their cart to market. The local Lutheran Minister was killed, and his body left on display for all to see. Then the fighting started, and things got really bad. The Poles rounded up as many German Nationals as they could find, and everyone else went into hiding. Many of the Farmers caught in the dragnet were never seen again.

The invading German Army arrived, and at least the roundups stopped. However, the Army commandeered the family horses, making life on the farm difficult. They also took most of their pigs and other livestock. Things settled down, until the Germans started losing to the Soviets. The local population was displaced, and Karl was drafted into the German Army. Karl was a “Panzerfaust” gunner, which was not very safe or fun. Karl had nightmares about the war the rest of his life. But, he managed to survive, unlike millions of others on all sides.

After the war, the reestablished German Government, with the assistance of the Marshall Plan, provided vocational training for young Germans. Karl enrolled in the Cabinetmakers Apprenticeship Program. Karl graduated from the program, and became a German Guild Member Cabinetmaker.

With Guild Membership in hand, Karl then sought to immigrate to America. At that time, you could only immigrate to the United States if you had proof of a job skill, i.e. Cabinetmaking, and had a sponsor in America, who agreed to compensate the authorities if the émigré became a burden to the government. These sponsorship organizations would interview prospective Americans, in their native countries, before signing off on them. That is how the system worked.

In the Spring of 1952, Karl came to America, on a converted WWII troop ship, crammed with prospective Citizens. Like millions before them, they cheered and wept when they saw the Statue of Liberty in New York City Harbor. They had made it. They weren’t dead, and they were in the promised land.

Karl found he had to repeat his apprenticeship, as American Unions did not recognize the German Guilds. Karl received his Apprentice Identification Card, showing he was indentured to the Hartford Cabinetmakers J. A. C. on 9-18-1952, as a Cabinetmaker apprentice, as recognized by the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council, 92 Farmington Avenue, Hartford Connecticut.

Karl again passed his apprenticeship, and became an American Guild Member. German craftsmen were in high demand, as they were recognized for their considerable skill set. Karl, and other emigrés who learned their skills in the post war apprenticeship programs, worked on cabinets in the US Senate Building, and helped install Bookcases, made of solid Ebony Wood, in the US Supreme Court Building.

While living in Connecticut, Karl noticed a very attractive German émigré, one Alwina Schlaps. One thing led to another, they fell in love, and were married on January 29, 1955.

Karl and Alwina decided to relocate to another part of this great country. Using an Atlas, they found Fresno, California on a map. Fresno was in a large valley, surrounded by mountains. This reminded both Karl and Alwina of their childhood homes. In 1958, they headed out from Hartford, in Karl's Buick, to the great unknown.

Upon arrival in Fresno, Karl found employment as a Cabinetmaker at Reinharts Cabinet Shop. Karl was hired his first day in Fresno, at the first place he applied. Karl worked their until he retired in 1992.

After their arrival in Fresno, Karl and Alwina adopted two boys. Ronald Karl Vogel, and Arnold Kenneth Vogel. Also known as Ronnie and Arnie. Karl and Alwina settled in Fresno, raising their family. Their children grew up and got married. Karl's grandson, Michael Scott Vogel, graduated from the United States Airforce Academy, becoming an officer and pilot. Karl lived the American Dream.

Karl's wife Alwina fell ill with a neurological condition in 1998. Karl cared for her until her passing, in June of 2007. Karl expressed it was his wish to “stay in his home” as long as possible. He accomplished this, staying healthy and well for many years. Karl kept his Drivers License until he was 87. Karl remained at his home, on his own, until his health began to falter in May of 2021. Karl passed, in his sleep, in the morning of January 11, 2022.

Karl was known to everyone who new him as a Master Craftsman, of a type that is no longer found in this world. Basically everything he ever made is still in good condition, and still in use. When other workmen would come across work Karl had done, they would stop and stare, and ask who had done it. One of his sons went to a funeral reception in a home that Karl had installed wood paneling in, in the early 1960’s. The paneling was still there, as good as new. Nothing was loose, nothing was crooked. In addition, both Ronnie and Arnie said that Karl was the toughest man they ever met. He just kept on going. Karl was one of the last of a generation of men and women formed in the crucible which was the great and horrible events of the last century, and the world will miss these singularly tough men.