Karl Heinz Strick

Karl Heinz Strick, a beloved husband and father, died at his Birmingham, Alabama home peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances Lauretta Wilson; their four children, Leo and his wife Mary, Roger and his wife Dianne, Walter, and Rebecca Morrison; grandchildren, Lauren Espinoza and her husband Chance, Roger Strick Jr., Stone Morrison, and Margaret Morrison; and great-granddaughter, Gia Marigold Espinoza.

Karl was born in Cologne, Germany and was raised by a devoted widowed mother, Margarete Strick, during WWII. As a young adult, he moved to Canada to work for a research company near Queens University and met his future wife Frances while attending a dance on campus. He then began studying Mechanical Engineering at Queens and became a professional engineer while his bride-to-be completed her nursing degree.

Karl had a highly successful career as Professional Engineer and became Vice President/General manager for two fortune 500 companies, Canadian Fram, Bendix and Zurn industries, Clarage Fan division. Early in his career he designed a Flex fan that was used on Ford automobiles throughout the 60’s and 70’s and is still available for sale today. He was awarded many other patents.

When Karl was young he enjoyed spending time with his boys as a scout master and took the family on many camping trips.

Karl and Frances relocated to the United States in 1978 with their four children and resided in Williamsburg, Virginia and Portage, Michigan before settling in Vestavia Hills, Alabama in 1982. Karl retired in 1997 from his professional career and together with his wife Frances wrote a book about his life growing up in Nazi Germany during WWII and his career in Canada and the United States. The “Boy with the White Flag” was published in 2011 and is available on Amazon.

After his retirement he spent many years riding his bicycle with the Birmingham Bicycle Club. He was an award-winning speaker with Toastmasters International and achieved his advanced Gold Toastmaster Certificate. Karl was fluent in English, French, and German plus a Cologne dialect and was truly a master with words. His love of languages and his sense of humor were enjoyed by everyone. He always knew that laughter was the best medicine and enjoyed telling jokes and reciting limericks to friends and even random strangers.

Karl and Frances, who celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 18, 2025, attended Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Birmingham. He was president of the Lake Heather Homeowner’s Association and enjoyed over 20 years living on Lake Heather in Lake Heather Estates.

The Strick family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice and our personal caregivers Theresa Colvin and Daphne Fenil and her daughter Brianna for assisting us in our time of need.

Visitation will be Friday, August 29, 2025 at the Chapel at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Birmingham from 1-2 p.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Family and friends are invited to the reception at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations will be directed in Karl Strick’s name to Alzheimer’s Foundation, www.alzfdn.org. Or, give to Saint Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35242. For more information, call (205) 980-1810.