Karl was born July 17, 1925, at the family home bakery on George and Second Streets in Philadelphia to Karl Herman and Magdalena Marie (Lindeman) Hauser. Along with his siblings, Caroline (Deceased), Otto ( Deceased), Fred (Deceased) and Walter (Deceased), he helped with the family bakery. The family moved to 16th and Lehigh and eventually to Princeton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, continuing in the baking tradition. After graduating from the original Northeast High School in 1943, Karl was drafted into the military December 1943, leaving from basic training on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). He was deployed to San Pancrazio Airfield, Brindisi Province, Italy, handling ordinance & aircraft maintenance and served 2 years. Karl continued his education in Business Administration at Temple University. He married his sweetheart, Ruth Frank, on February 12, 1949. They raised their family in Lafayette Hill, PA, until 1964. He supported and was treasurer for the Cub Scouts in Lafayette Hill. Later, Karl moved his growing family to Southampton, PA, where he was the proprietor of the Western Auto Associate Store, at the Southampton Shopping Center, opened in 1962. He is described as having an “encyclopedic knowledge” of cars, mechanics and hardware, and was a help to many. For his efforts, Karl received a Lions Club Southampton Community Award in 1969 for his commitment and service to the youth of the community. After the business closed, 1974, Karl worked for Strathmann’s Home Center and eventually Hobensack’s, in Ivyland, PA., before moving to Delray Beach, FL, where he retired. Karl shared many stories about his past and his time in the Army Air Corp, in particular. He very much loved and was loved by his family, including extended family and was often the source of advice. He enjoyed woodworking and loved all kinds of dance, including ballroom to mummer’s struts. Karl will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Karl was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and granddaughter Brooke.
He is survived by 6 children, Glenn (Lucy), Mark, Mary Beth (Rick) Hadley, Kristina (Dave) McDowell, Lorraine Schmid (Michael Del Campo) and Amy (Steve) McInerny and former son-in-law Jeff Schmid. He has 12 grandchildren: Megan, Peter, Kyle, Richard, Leah, Timothy, Rachel, Justin, Steven, Christal, Henry and Madison, and 6 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life is planned for July 17, 2021, at Lamb Funeral Home, 101 Byberry Rd. Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, Remembrance: 10:00AM - 11:00AM, Interment: Forest Hills Cemetery, adjacent to Lamb Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Trust Bridge Hospice, by phone: 561- 494-6887, online: trustbridgefoundation.org, click Donate, or mail to: Trust Bridge Foundation, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL. 33047
