Carl Anthony Reiser Jr.

1935 - 2020

Stonington - Carl Anthony Reiser Jr. of Stonington passed peacefully away at Westerly Hospital Dec. 8, 2020. His loved ones were incredibly fortunate to be able to be with him in his final days thanks to hospice. Carl was born in Altoona, Pa. Feb. 11, 1935, to Carl Anthony Reiser and Helen C. (Malligan) Reiser. He is survived by his elder sister, Mary Louise (Reiser) Arthur of Lutherville, Md.; and was predeceased by his younger brother, William Donald Reiser of Easton, Md.

Carl spent his early years in Hollidaysburg, Pa., attending parochial school and then graduating from Hollidaysburg High School. He went on to Pennsylvania State University, majoring in mechanical engineering. Carl paid for college by fixing cars on the weekends, and hitch-hiking from Hollidaysburg to Happy Valley and back. He loved learning about cars, and that work was the beginning of his incredible ability to problem-solve. A passion for curious cars continued throughout his life, as sported in his long-lasting, first edition Datson 240Z.

His degree earned him a job at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, so he took off in his old Rio Green Studebaker to live with a crew of bachelor engineers in Manchester. There he met the love of his life, Joan C. (Daniels) Reiser. Joan initially was not sure about the car, but really liked his shoes (brown and white saddle shoes); they fell in love and married, Sept. 13, 1958. Carl and Joan settled in Glastonbury where they raised their son, Carl A. Reiser III (Dorothy E. Hackl Reiser and their children: Abbey Anne, Elizabeth Christine, Carl Anthony IV and Joseph Michael) and daughter Anne Reiser Haling (Thomas Jude Haling and their children, Tyler Carl, Melissa R. Haling Warburton (m. Glen) and Joan Susan). During these years, Carl enjoyed golfing, skiing, sharing his favorite poems with his children, building and fixing things (including those for family and friends), but definitely not yardwork. Carl and Joan and their family and friends also enjoyed their more than 40 years spent at their Block Island cottage.

While at Pratt & Whitney (UTC), Carl immersed himself with passion in fuel cell development, believing they are a fundamentally superior technology to the more conventional methods of generating electric power. Carl made multiple substantial technical contributions and was awarded 180 patents. Unlike most fuel cell inventors, Carl worked on multiple types, including alkaline (AFCs), molten-carbonate (MCFCs), phosphoric-acid (PAFCs) and proton-exchange membrane (PEMFCs). This unusual combination of so many patents and being involved with multiple technologies was due, in part, to his long career, but mostly because, in the words of a co-worker, "whenever there was a really difficult problem, Carl was the one you would ask to get involved." Carl was also an important mentor to many fuel-cell engineers, including researchers in Japan, who are still actively developing fuel cells and related technologies. His influence extends around the world and literally to the moon as he worked on the first fuel cell to power astronauts' space suits at the International Space Station. Despite these accomplishments, his greatest pride came from his family, especially his wife whom he called his "forever Valentine."

In anticipation of retirement, Carl and Joan moved to Stonington near their children and grandchildren. However, Carl never completely retired. He left his fulltime position at UTC in 1992, but took on the role of independent contractor for over a decade. Carl then became a regular contributor to the family business, New England Glass & Mirror, driving almost daily to Norwich to sit in on planning meetings, review operations, and, yes, get more than a little technology help from the younger generation. Working with the family business was more than practical; it spoke of another value dear to his heart - time with those he loved. During Carl's later years, this work, exercise at the Mystic Y (Ocean Community YMCA), family dinners, discussion on politics and love of country, weekly Mass, and lots of walks were part of his life's routine.

"Reiser" means traveler in German; his initials are CAR, and Carl lived true to his name from his love of cars, to his extensive business and personal travel, including a Masai-led hiking safari he and Joan took in their 70s, and his love of family walks. Throughout his life, Carl kept his body going as the Deacon who tended his "wonderful one-hoss-shay" in the poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, and it similarly, eventually gave out. Given the non-gather restrictions, if you would like to honor our family "path finder," take a walk in the woods, preferably finding a circuitous route requiring little or no back tracking. Go alone, or with loved ones, and while on the walk, think of Carl Anthony Reiser Jr. and also your own family.

Services will be privately held. For those inclined to send flowers, in lieu of them, please donate to St. Patrick Church "Forward in Faith Campaign," 32 East Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355 or the Westerly Hospital Foundation, 25 Wells Street, Westerly, RI 02891.