Karl G.J. Bingemann Jr.

1924 - 2009

Born on December 28, 1924, in Medford, New Jersey, Karl spent his boyhood on the shores and bays of Long Beach Island. An accomplished sailor, swimmer and fisherman, Karl always sported a tan and bleached blonde hair during the summer. Winters would find Karl hunting squirrels, rabbits or pheasants and checking his trap line for muskrats before school. He was attending Moorstown Friends School playing soccer and sometimes studying, when he met the love of his life at the age of twelve. Ten years later, Marilyn Aimone and Karl were married. Karl went to Tulane University, and then earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. After a brief stint aboard an aircraft carrier during WW II, the pair moved to California when Karl got a job with General Electric. They returned to the East Coast, lived on an 86 acre farm in Ithaca, New York, where their daughter, Diane was born. The three of them returned to California when Karl was recruited by Hughes Aircraft in 1955, where he remained as an outstanding employee for over 32 years. At Hughes, Karl helped design the lens and mirrors for the camera of the "Surveyor", the first soft lunar landing vessel, which now resides at the Smithsonian. He later worked with infrared, fiber-optics, cryogenics and retired from quality assurance. In 1956, Karl and Lynn bought their first home in a close knit neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates, where 4th of July block parties, costume parties, bridge parties, Rose bowl parties and any other excuse for a party earned lifetime loyalty and friendships. In 1957, his son, K.R. was born followed by Eric in 1962. He earned the nickname "Karl, King of Corn" from another group of close friends, the Tuesday night Portuguese Bend Beach B.B.Q. gang that met for over forty years during the summer. Karl and Lynn were members of the Neighborhood Church for over fifty years. In this day and age, not many friendships remain close or long lasting, but Karl had many due to his loyalty, honesty and overall character, and to the type of families that moved into Lunada Bay in the 50's and 60's. They were true neighbors and friends that still show care and compassion for each other. Up until he was unable, Karl loved playing tennis, and golf, lunching or playing poker with his men's group. Karl had many other passions in life, including supporting and coaching Lunada Bay Little League and AYSO soccer, supporting PV High soccer and driving cars that nobody else would…the pink Maverick was our favorite! Our father supported us in all we did; he was a mentor and a role model. He made time for his family and friends. As he was a man of faith, Karl was ready to be with The Lord and had no fear of death. He passed peacefully at his home with his loving wife of 62 years, Lynn, at his side. He is also survived by his children, Diane, Bob (Chris, Eric, Jeff, Suzanne), K.R., Annie (Will, Tyler, Kurtis), and Eric, Gigi (Jacob). There will be a celebration of Karl's life when all the family can be together in June at their home in Lunada Bay. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com.