Carl was a mechanical engineer, having received his BS from Ohio University and his PhD from the University of Michigan. He spent most of his career at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where he held many senior management and technical leadership positions in research toward controlling nuclear fusion as an energy source. Carl was responsible for building the world's largest magnet at that time (for MFTF-B). He also designed massive containment vessels for stemming the oil fires in Kuwait after the first Gulf War.

Carl spent two years on assignment in Germany as a member of the US contingent of scientists designing the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, ITER. He spent three years at Intermagnetics General Corporation as VP for Technology Development where he contributed to the development of an MRI machine for General Electric.

In 1976-1978 he worked at the Dept. of Energy as Magnetics Branch Chief in the Office of Fusion Energy. He was author of many technical papers and presentations, held five U.S. patents, and received numerous honors and awards, including being elected a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society.

Carl was an adventurer, rebuilding and flying his own airplanes, and in retirement, sailing a large catamaran which he and his wife, Judy, lived on in the Caribbean for several months of each year. In 1988 Carl flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean in his Cessna 337 which he had rebuilt. While in Europe, he and Judy flew to Germany, London and Egypt, and along the Nile River. Carl returned home solo flying via Iceland, Greenland and Nova Scotia, a 2600-mile journey in all. His hobby was flying the rivers of the world with Judy; they have been to the headwaters of the Amazon, Angel Falls in Venezuela, along the Orinoco, Colorado, Mississippi and other great rivers. Often they would fly the Caribbean, and to the island of Roatan (off of Honduras) where they owned a second home for ten years. Carl, with his infectious laughter, will be remembered by his many friends as a confident, self-sufficient man who relished daunting challenges.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Judy, and his two daughters, Kirsten Baca of Walnut Creek and Lisa Low of Danville, two granddaughters, Brooke Baca and Lexie Low, and his sister, Joy Arndt of Cleveland, OH.

Condolences may be sent to his wife, Judy, at 4435 First Street, #343, Livermore, CA 94551. Those wishing to honor Carl's memory may send a donation to Hospice of the East Bay.