Karl H. Wallischeck

Karl H. Wallischeck, age 88, of Fairfield, CT, passed away very peacefully at home on October 27, 2018. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Barbara; three sons: Karl (daughter-in-law Lucy and beloved grandson Noah) of Lake Tahoe, CA; Eric (son-in-law Sean) of Randolph, MA; and Rolf (daughter-in-law Maureen and her daughter Stephanie Miller) of Fairfield, CT; and his sister Renate Muller of Hamburg, Germany.

Born in Hamburg in 1930 to the late Renate and Rudolph Wallischeck, he experienced the destruction of that city and the depredations of World War II as a youth. He emigrated to New York at age 19 and continued to work as a trained and skilled foreign auto mechanic until he was drafted at 20 into the Army. He served with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea, where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and two Presidential Unit Citations. Upon returning from overseas and receiving an Honorable Discharge, he received his U.S. citizenship. Sometime later he was accepted into the prestigious Cooper Union School of Engineering earning his B.S. In Electrical Engineering and afterwards his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport.

He joined Sikorsky Aircraft in 1967 and eventually became Chief of Hydraulics and Mechanical Controls. Karl was an active member of the Society of Automotive Engineers; held several patents; and was a respected authority on aircraft hydraulic systems. Upon retirement in 1992, he devoted his time to his family and to his Woodfield Village community by serving on its board and committees.
Karl had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed reading, music (particularly opera), and tinkering, as well as gardening and traveling-especially multiple trips to Ireland to explore Barbara's maternal roots. His genuine passion was sailing his boat "Hanseatic" (together with his first mate wife) on Long Island Sound, going on out to the islands and sometimes up the coast to Maine.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a teacher; a wise mentor; an inspiring role model and a source of great strength to his family. He nurtured his three sons, watched them grow, marry and prosper. His invincible spirit will always be with us.

A memorial gathering will be held at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, CT, on Monday, November 12th from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 12 Noon at Holy Cross Church, 750 Tahmore Drive in Fairfield. Donations to his memory can be made to Doctors Without Borders or any charity of choice. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com