Karl F. Abel

Karl F. Abel, 91, passed away on July 23, 2007, of natural causes. Born in Miami, Arizona on June 17, 1916, Karl lived in Glendale most of his life. Voted "Cardinal King" at Glendale High School in 1933, he attended the University of Arizona before serving in the US Army as a company commander in WWII. He married Enid Moore of Peoria, his childhood friend and sweetheart, on Feb. 20, 1943, at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., before he was shipped to the Pacific. When he returned from the war he farmed in the West Valley with his brother Norbert under the name Abel Brothers. With Norbert and other partners in the Valley he created a bank, a cotton gin, and a service station, and contributed to the economy of his community in many ways. He served as the President of the Salt River Project from 1972 to 1982, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Highly honored, respected and appreciated, he was appointed goodwill ambassador to the Middle East (via an agriculture technology exchange), was a nationally recognized conservationist, became a noted contributor to the development of Arizona, served on many civic councils, commissions, and charity boards, and, as a child, helped build the church he attended the rest of his life. He received the Westmarc (western Maricopa County's business and civic coalition) Best of the West Lifetime Achievement Award for distinguishing himself in business and civic activism, and for volunteering thousands of hours to community service. In his retirement he was a prime mover in establishing ASU West and was the founding president of its Provost Club. He also poured many hours into perfectly restoring a 1933 Packard roadster that graced the streets of Glendale for many years. Karl never sought recognition or limelight, wanting only to make his community a better place in which to live. He was an inspiration of goodness, loving kindness, excellence and humor to all who knew him, and will be long treasured. He is survived by his cherished wife Enid, son Jonathan Abel (and wife Jeannie), daughter Lency Spezzano (and husband Chuck), five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 1:00 pm Sat., July 28, at Grace Lutheran Church, 5600 W. Palmaire Avenue, in Glendale.