Karl Alexander

1928 - 2022

Karl Russell Alexander Jr., 93, of Westminster, died Sunday August 7, 2022 at his home in Carroll Lutheran Village, Westminster, MD. Born and raised in Harrisonburg, VA on September 1, 1928, he was the son of the late Karl Russell Alexander Sr. and Willie Odessa Garrett Alexander. He was the husband of the late Barbara Spaulding Alexander of Ivanhoe, VA for 59 years, who died August 17, 2012. He was a 1946 graduate of Harrisonburg High School and a 1951 Graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) now known as Virginia Tech (VT). In both high school and college, he enjoyed playing trumpet in the marching band including the VPI Cadet Band known as the Highty Tighties. He became interested in radio and electricity at a very young age and went on to receive a degree in electrical engineering at VPI in 1951. He also received a 2nd Lieutenant Commission in the US Air Force Reserve upon completion of the ROTC program. He was called to active duty in 1951 during the Korean conflict and was assigned to Communication Officer School, Scott Air Force Base near St. Louis, Illinois where he was an instructor. Just before discharge from the Air Force, he married the love of his life, Barbara Spaulding whom he had dated during college. In 1953, he went to work for the Bendix Corporation Field Engineering. He was a program manager in their space tracking business for Project Mercury and later for the Naval Research Labs before NASA was formed. He went on to become Vice President of Deep Space West Coast Operations at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. After retiring from Bendix in 1973, he went to work for Carroll County, Maryland and was the first director of General Services. In 1983, he became President of Marvalaud, a local materials research company owned by Professor Emeritus Robert B. Pond Sr. of Johns Hopkins University. They developed and sold patents on the beneficial use of power companies' waste product fly ash. Upon the death of the owner in 2007, the company dissolved and he retired permanently. He was a lifetime member of Rotary International including Past President of the Westminster Rotary Club. He was a member of the Westminster United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. He also was a member of the Carroll County Senior Chorus. He was a member and Past President of the Forest and Stream Club where he enjoyed fishing, shooting, boating and along with Barbara, hosting their grandchildren at GG Camp. He played trumpet in the Baltimore Colts band before they left Maryland. He also played in the Westminster Municipal Band. He supported the Carroll County Arts Council by donating refurbished musical instruments to their school instrument program. He had a passion for helping anyone who needed anything repaired including household items like lamps, appliances or anything mechanical or electronic. He enjoyed traveling and playing golf with Barbara and their friends. He was a consummate southern gentleman. Surviving are sons Karl Russell Alexander III and wife Mary Dupre of Philadelphia, PA, Richard Brian Alexander and wife Marguerite of Ellicott City, David William Alexander and wife Laurie of Arnold, John Edward Alexander and wife Kay of Westminster and daughter-in-law Patricia Nevius of Lineboro; granddaughters Jessica Lynn Daily and Husband William of Wake Forest, NC, Erin Victoria Keefer and husband Bob of Hanover, PA, Tanya Marie Kerr and husband Shawn of Lineboro, Bailey Lynn Musiol and husband Zack of Glen Burnie and Caroline Elizabeth Alexander of Ellicott City; grandsons Daniel Jason Alexander and wife Allison of Mt. Airy and Clayton Philip Alexander and wife Lesley of Annapolis; great-grandsons Connor James and Liam Alexander Daily of Wake Forest, Mason David and Aiden Nikolaus Kerr of Lineboro, Benjamin Karl Keefer of Hanover, PA and Andrew Russell Alexander of Mt. Airy; great-granddaughters Carys Barbara Daily of Wake Forest, Isla and Vivien Alexander of Annapolis, Mila Mary and Clara Jane Alexander of Mt. Airy, Honor Marie Kerr of Lineboro, Everett Caroline Keefer of Hanover, PA and Stella Elliott Musiol of Glen Burnie; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Betty Alexander Williams and a brother James William Alexander. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am, Saturday September 3rd, 2022 at Westminster United Methodist Church,162 E. Main St., Westminster with the Rev. Ken Humbert officiating. Interment will be private. Per his wishes, he donated his body to the Maryland State Anatomy Board for the advancement of medical education and research study. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Carroll Lutheran Village, Attn: Barbara and Karl Alexander Endowment Fund, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD 21158; or Bridging Life Hospice Care, 200 Memorial Ave., Westminster, MD 21157.