It is with great sadness we say goodbye to our friend Karl Dudda.
Karl and his wife Stephanie came to Bowen in the 50s. They became the caretakers of the fabulous Fairweather Bay Estate. They lived there for 35 years, becoming friends and mentors to generations of the families that enjoyed the lodge and beautiful surrounding gardens.
When Karl and Stephanie retired they moved to Tunstall Bay. Sadly Stephanie passed away in 1997, so for the past 18 years Karl has lived alone, but never lonely, as his friends and family from all corners of the globe visited, partied and cared for him. He was an avid reader and kept up with all world news, soccer scores and musical events.
He was renown for his sharp memory, vivid stories, generosity of spirit and the best homemade beer west of Germany.
He was a survivor, a caretaker, a groundskeeper, a Mr. Fixit, a Jack of all trades and had the admiration of generations of families that grew up here on Bowen and beyond.
He leaves to mourn his two sisters in Germany, Gerda and Elisabeth, niece Gabi and her husband Werner and their extended families, his Vancouver nieces Sharon and Cathy and, on Vancouver Island, godchildren Deb and Ritchie and their families.
On Bowen his close family of friends will gather to honour what would have been his 88th birthday and in January. Fair weather will host a send off befitting this wonderfully complex, unforgettable fellow that touched so many lives.
