Carl Fredrick Raff

Carl Fredrick Raff of Belmont passed away peacefully at home on Sept 30, 2013. Born in San Francisco July 18, 1925 to David and Rosa Raff, he was baptized and confirmed at St. Paulus Lutheran Church in S.F. He grew up in a small house on Eureka Street that was originally temporary housing after the 1906 earthquake. He was the youngest of 4 children- brothers Gothold and David and his sister Rose. He lost most of his hearing after recovering from scarlet fever. As a result of his hearing problems he did not fair well at St. Paulus School and transferred into the public school system where he was taught lip reading. His lip reading skills allowed him to excel academically and in sports. He graduated from James Lick Jr. High, and Mission High School where he focused on drafting, wood shop and metal shop as well as athletics. He enjoyed playing basket ball, soccer and tennis. Carl's love of tools and building things was established at an early age with his legendary childhood quote "I don't want a dump truck, I want a tool box!" He put that love to work building a 2 story "shack" in the back yard of the Eureka Street home which served as workshop and lodging for his oldest brother. Later he would build additional rooms onto his homes in Belmont. Member of International Association of Machinists local 1414, he worked for Mitchell Diamond Drill in San Francisco. This included working at a dam construction site in remote Wyoming repairing diamond drill bits as well as working locally. When work slowed he was laid of which put his plans to marry on hold as his love Viola insisted that he first get a job. God's plan lead him to a small company in a tiny shop in Belmont called AMES Taping Tools which began his lifelong career and of building Drywall finishing tools. Working with the inventors he created the manufacturing processes and many of the drawings to build tools that launched a new industry. As AMES grew he supervised the machine shop and continued to do so after the business was sold. Later he would leave AMES to partner with Bob and Stan Ames to found Premier Drywall Tools to implement new and improved taping tools. After Premier was sold he founded Belmont Taping Tools as his own business venture. He met his future wife Viola at the Walther League young adult group at St Paulus Lutheran Church S.F. Once he began work at AMES he and Viola were married and began their 53 year journey together. They had their daughter Patricia while living in the pan handle area of San Francisco. They bought their first home in Belmont near 101 and Ralston Ave where they lived for many years. There they had their son Carl T. After building a new family room onto this home they sold it and moved to their home at the top of the hill on Christian Drive where Carl and Viola lived the rest of their happy lives. Carl build several additions to their new home including his "hobby room" (work shop) and a beautiful family room. Carl is survived by daughter Patricia Chambers, son Carl T. Raff and daughter in-law Julie, grandchildren Charity, Samantha, Benjamin and Paddric Chambers, Anna Kennedy, Christopher and Jennifer Raff, as well as 5 Great Grandchildren. He and Viola were active members of Grace Lutheran Church, San Mateo for many years. There they made numerous lifelong friends and were very supportive of the church's school. A simple graveside service will be held at Olivet Memorial Park 1601 Hillside Blvd in Colma California on Monday Oct 7 at 2:00 PM