Dick Carl, former teacher, counselor, and real estate appraiser died December 7, 2024. He is survived by his wife Lillian (Billie) Carl. They were married December 29th, 1957. Also surviving are their children Rebecca Carl of Indianapolis, Pamela Carl of South Bend and Rick (Marianne) Carl of Osceola; grandchildren Olivia Carl, Sarah Carl and Edward Myers (Maranda), his sister-in-law Lenora Carl. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Eugene Richard Carl, Sr. and Ruth (Wilson) Carl, his brother Tim (deceased),  and Joel (deceased). He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Dick was born on August 13th, 1934, in Centralia, Illinois, home of the Centralia Orphans where, known as Bat Carl, he once scored two touchdowns on a broken ankle (as the story goes anyway). He graduated from high school in 1952 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1952-1956 in France and later at the 12th Air Force headquarters in Ramstein, Germany.

He attended college on the GI Bill and received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University in 1959. Dick later attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a master’s degree in 1967. Dick was a proud and loyal alumnus, joining the Notre Dame Sorin Society and was a life member of the Notre Dame 1842 Loyal Society and the Notre Dame 50-year club.

English literature was his first love, and he taught both English and speech at then Middlebury High School. While there, he was president of the Middlebury Classroom Teachers Association. He was a beloved teacher, with the class of 1963 dedicating their annual to him, an honor he treasured his entire life. In 1967 he taught at Pierre Moran Junior High School in Elkhart and was president of the Elkhart Teachers Association, chairman of the Elkhart Jr. High School English department and served on the legislative committee of the Indiana State Teacher’s Association.

After teaching for a number of years he entered the real estate business where he spent many years. He was past president of the Elkhart County Multiple Listing Association and past Vice-President of the Elkhart County Board of Realtors.

In 1976, he ventured into retail and purchased Beck Shoes (Easy Shopping Place) selling it in 1982 to return to education and counseling. Appointed coordinator for outpatient services for then Renaissance Department of Elkhart General Hospital, he continued his education and training at Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center and the University of Georgia. After this he was a counselor at Family and Children’s Center in South Bend and served a short time as program director for Lovellton Treatment Center in Elgin, Illinois. He became a real estate appraiser in 1987 and spent the rest of his working life in that profession.

Dick was a long term and lay member of St. Pauls’ United Methodist Church since 1957 and over the years served on various committees and served as lay term leader.

A founding member of Elkhart Alanon Corporation, which owns and operates Serenity Hall in Elkhart, Dick was a member of Alcoholics for fifty years, having celebrate that incredible milestone on October 7, 2024.

He loved fishing and fished many places around the world and was a loyal (although sometimes frustrated) Cubs fan. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, Christian, teacher, counselor and a grateful recovering alcoholic.

A private family graveside service with military honors will be held Friday, December 20th at 11:30 AM at West Goshen Cemetery. Pastor Tom Defries from St. Paul’s will preside. A celebration of life will follow at the church for anyone who wishes to celebrate his incredible life.

Memorial contributions may be given to Serenity Hall or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

“Surely God who created life with all its brief wonders has created a death with it’s eternity even more wonderful”