Randall William Karr
Randall William Karr was born on June 6, 1957 in Los Angeles to Herbert William Karr and Ann Lawruk Karr. When he was a toddler, the family including his younger brother Barrett moved to Santa Barbara into the family home where Randall lived until his death. Randall died suddenly January 23, 2009 at work among friends and colleagues as the result of catastrophic consequences of a congenital heart defect that had been repaired at the age of 5.
Randall (“Randy” to his family and oldest friends) was unique among individuals. He was intellectually and physically active throughout his life and he really LIVED life to its fullest. He loved the outdoors and the ocean. He was an avid and skilled hunter, shooter, fisherman, dancer and motocross rider. In his professional life, he was the electrical and controls guru sought out for his seemingly endless knowledge of all things water and wastewater treatment. Randall got his start in the controls industry with his brother when they started Southwest Instruments designing and manufacturing specialized engineering instrumentation.
In pursuit of recreation, Randall traveled widely. He had visited the Cook Islands, Honduras, Mexico, Alaska, Caribbean islands of Inagua and Mayaguana, and a week before his death, he returned from Long Island in the Bahamas from a bone-fishing expedition. His outdoor adventures took him into Montana and the high Sierra wilderness. He was a canine lover, and throughout his life, always had a four legged companion.
Some words from Randall: “I love everything from the mountains to the sea, with some culture in between. Whether it be button downs, aloha shirts, flannels or Gortex, I’m there!” On weekends Randall would take a drive up the coast, a day hike, motorcycle ride, watch the breakers during a storm, go out to dinner, music and dancing at a local venue, and every chance he got he would go fly fishing or sailing. Randall was social and never sitting idle for long.
Randall is survived by his brother, Barrett Karr, Barrett’s wife, Elizabeth Peacock, and their daughter, Lara, his half sisters, Linda and Karen Karr, and his faithful dog, Mickey. Randall’s road of life was short, but wide. He will be missed.
A memorial scattering of ashes in the ocean is planned. Saturday, February 14, 3:00pm to 6:00pm on the Condor Express (Santa Barbara Harbor). Please RSVP to mimiaga@earthlink.net. All friends are welcome.