The memories that Eileen and I have of Karl and Miss Beverley Hall date back more than 50 years. Eileen, I and Karl were involved in gently revising the summer student employment protocols at the Dept of Lands & Forests, Glenora Fisheries Research Station on the Bay of Quinte. The first year I worked at the Station, Karl showed up at our Staff Houses in wonderful dark green new Pontiac Beaumont convertible, an apparent upgrade on his previous TR3. The rest of us just knew that Karl, this good looking gentleman, had just set the standard for summer student transportation and would reap all the associated social benefits. Karl did not gloat, but simply set out to attract the fancy of a lovely young lady from Belleville.
The Staff Houses were the centre for some boisterous socialization. Some of these gatherings were enlivened by the presence of the ever popular Purple Jesus elixir, a concoction of LCBO alcohol and grape juice. The proportions varied based on the whim of the mixologist and his prior enjoyment of the brew. Karl was always a gentle consumer at these events as his strength was his guitar playing. He and Steve Cooke rewrote some common ballads of the day with a somewhat bawdier tone and they entertained the gatherings with their homespun lyrics. As he has always been, Karl was the dependable one. When our Staff House cook, Mrs. Prince (Ma Prince), needed a ride home at the end of the day, Karl was usually the one to volunteer. This was much to Ma Prince’s relief as she looked over the other potential chauffeurs available. Mrs. Prince often rewarded Karl (aka Chip) with an ample supply his favourite beverage – chocolate milk.
Yes there were lots of nicknames given out to us over the course of this idyllic summer. There was Chip, Grotch, Cookie, Mr Mann, Johnnie T. Mikus, Billiee, Leen and Crystal Violet (the research station director).
Unfortunately Karl’s ability to live in this student utopia was cut short by academic pursuits. He and Steve Cooke were whisked away by the University of Waterloo, Matamec/Moisie River gang to pursue postgraduate studies. They endured life in the wilds of Quebec at a high end fishing lodge owned by a few wealthy American industrialists who were salmon fishermen. Karl and Steve were joined by Greg Pope and Allan Sandilands in this academic adventure. These 4 names are important to remember.
The Matamec/Moisie River gang, Karl, Greg, Steve and Allan later kindly invited (coerced) me to join them in a rural residence near Breslau ON, named the Halfway House. The dwelling was halfway between the universities in Guelph and Waterloo, places some of us attempted to attend on occasion for academic enrichment. Only PhD candidates Karl and Greg were the dedicated academics. On occasion, this house was also the site of boisterous socialization. We did contribute to the local community. We frequented the local Inn for refreshments. We were such good patrons there, that Steve Cooke attained the position of part-time bartender at the Breslau House – had his priorities. We created and distributed a Christmas card which included the 5 of us in a portrayal of the Nativity Scene. Rightly so, Karl took on the role of Joseph, attired in a jaunty bathrobe and holding a hammer. Allan was a dead ringer for baby Jesus complete with swaddling clothes and stubby beer bottle. There was also a grizzled Mary,Greg, a Shepard Steve, bearing magnum of champagne & the archangel Michael complete with a halo.
Halfway House played an important role in the lives of Karl and Bev. In order to celebrate Karl’s upcoming marriage to Bev, and sadly his departure from the House, we had small gathering of about 50 people. They represented all facets of university life from undergraduates that Karl and Greg taught, fellow graduate students and even some professors. It was a learning experience for all. Some folk’s characteristics, that were previously unknown to others, suddenly blossomed forth at this event. Fueled by copious quantities of mixed alcoholic beverages and brownies with a mystery additive, a good time was had by all. The generally reserved leader of the House, Karl Schiefer, was led down roads that he had never travelled before. We did have an MD in attendance. Thanks John.
The next day we shipped young Karl off to his wedding day and subsequent ski holiday. Much attributable to his strength of character, Karl did make it to his wedding. Beverley eventually spoke to all of us again. The skiing apparently was a little ragged.
My memory of Karl is as the resourceful quiet leader who always had a well-conceived plan to get the job done no matter the situation. Eileen & I owe a significant thanks to Karl. Karl was asked to provide a character reference for us when we adopted our daughters. He must have said all the right things because 35 years later these 2 ladies are tightly woven into the fabric of our family.
I will miss you Karl for the subtle fishing advice you always gave me so that I was not skunked that day. I will miss for the boating advice you provided so I did not ruin the meticulously maintained fishing boat you sold to me at discounted price. We will remember the Caribbean trips we shared with you and Bev, the cruises on the rivers of Europe and the waters of the Mediterranean plus the Glenora gatherings at the farm in Caledon.
Most of all we will miss you as our dear good friend with whom we have shared so much of life’s triumphs and tragedies.
God speed Karl. Job well done. Mike & Eileen