Karl Edward Kerr

KARL EDWARD KERR (May 19, 1941 – June 13, 2021)

Karl Edward Kerr was a beloved father, brother, son, friend, and partner, who loved life and was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and friends.  He was a kind and compassionate man who was quick to laugh, loved animals, and enjoyed a good glass of chardonnay.  An avid photographer, Karl always had his camera nearby to capture great shots of the sights and sunsets at Seal Beach, the people he loved, and all of the monarch butterflies and hummingbirds in the backyard.  He was an introspective man and a poet at heart, and could often be found journaling and expressing his thoughts and feelings through handwritten poems.

Karl was born on May 19, 1941, at the family home in Oak Forest, Pennsylvania, and was one of eight children.  After graduating from Waynesburg High School in 1959, Karl moved to El Segundo, California to live with his sister, Joan Tokar, and her husband, Joe, and their five children while he attended El Camino College.

Karl and his first wife, Noreen, married in August 1964 and Karl was drafted into the United States Army in 1966.  After training as a medic, Karl was stationed in Landsthul, West Germany, where he started his career as a physical therapy specialist.  Noreen joined him in Germany, and their daughter, Karen, was born there the following year.  Karl was honorably discharged in January 1968 and the family returned to Southern California where they welcomed their son, Michael two years later.  Karl and Noreen divorced in 1976, but Karl remained in the greater Long Beach area and played an active role in his children’s lives and activities.

Over the next two decades, Karl remarried twice – to Ellie Frye of Pennsylvania in 1985, and then to Jane Winneman of California in 1990.  Throughout his life, Karl lived in Northern California, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, before returning to Southern California to spend his final years with his girlfriend and life partner, Martha Sievert.

Karl spent over 50 years as a physical therapist and found great joy in getting to know each of his patients and helping them with their rehabilitation and healing.  He graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy, and later in his career taught as a part-time faculty member in the program.  He worked in a private practice at the start of his career, and then spent many years working in and supervising Mountain View Therapy at Montrose Memorial Hospital in Colorado.  He truly enjoyed helping others and took great pride in working as part of the patient care team.  After he retired, he provided helpful guidance to friends and family who were recovering from injuries or surgical procedures.

Karl passed away at home on Sunday, June 13, 2021, after suffering complications from congestive heart failure.  While his loss will be felt by all who knew him, Karl leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a lifetime of wonderful stories and memories for us to treasure.

Karl is survived by his children - Karen Owens and Mike Kerr, sisters - Joan Tokar, Kathie Ingram, and Renee Jones, brother - Tom Kerr, and grandson - Drew Owens, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents - William and Martha Mildred Kerr, brother - William Mitchell, and sisters - Louella Underwood and Patty Diamonte.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:30 am (PST) - 2:30 pm on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Skylinks at Long Beach Golf Course, 4800 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach, CA 90808.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karl's name to the Gary Sinise Foundation ( www.garysinisefoundation.org ) in honor of Karl’s lifelong support of veterans, first responders, and health care workers.