Carl Blomgren

A Lover of Life; Tough and Tender;

An Authentic Being of the World

Carl Blomgren was born January 30, 1936 in Seattle. He graduated from Garfield High School and numerous colleges and universities, including a year overseas at the University of Edinburgh. In school, he played baseball and football, and took every math, philosophy, and literature class available. (None of his schools had wrestling programs, otherwise he would have undoubtedly excelled at it. Instead, he passed on his love of the sport to his sons.)

While often deliberate in his actions, Carl wasted no time in recognizing the love of his life, Marcia. They met in January, were engaged in February, and married in April, 1970. Soon thereafter, they moved to Vashon Island, to live “the good life”

(a phrase that Carl repeated regularly and vigorously).

Carl lasted two days as an accountant in his dad’s business. Instead, he became a janitor, groundskeeper, teacher, coach, and tutor. He loved the natural world: he built his own log cabin from the trees on his land, worked tirelessly in the woods, and spent his life musing on the wonder inherent in our world.

Carl loved bikes, books, and baked goods. He was both simple and complex, finding equal satisfaction in a Seahawks victory and a volume of existential philosophy by Soren Kierkegaard. He had an insatiable thirst for life, learning, and daily naps. He was fiercely loyal to his family and close friends. Carl’s family includes his wife, Marcia, sons Anders and Per-Lars, daughter- in-law Alison, and grandson Soren.

Fueled by an intensely competitive nature, Carl feverishly coached baseball and wrestling. He valued courage, hard work, and selflessness. He never wanted attention or accolades for his good deeds—he would much rather credit those around him. Carl was a humble, compassionate man.

While Carl was a master with words—particularly the written word—many of the lessons he taught were through actions. “Don’t just talk about it,” he would say without saying, “do it.” Joseph Campbell writes that “the privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” This was Carl Blomgren’s silent, daily mantra. He was truly an authentic being of the world.

Carl’s life was devoid of fear; the idea of him worrying about anything was incomprehensible. This ideology included an embracement of his own, our own, mortality. Carl was not afraid of death. He died July 16, 2013, on his own terms: quickly, on his own land, looking up at the trees.

His life will be celebrated on Saturday, August 3rd at 2 p.m. at Camp Burton. Memorials may be made to Habit for Humanity and Vashon Grapplers Society.

More information can be found on www.islandfuneral.com.

Paid Obituary.