Frederick B. Karl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frederick B. Karl
Justice Frederick B. Karl, c. 1977
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 14th district
In office 1956–1964
Member of the Florida Senate from the 14th district
In office 1968–1971
Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
In office January 4, 1977 – April 5, 1978
Personal details
Born	(1924-05-14)May 14, 1924 Daytona Beach, Florida
Died	March 7, 2013(2013-03-07) (aged 88) Tampa, Florida
Political party	Democratic
Children	Cynthia Anne, Frederick B Jr (Rick), Mary Theresa, James Brooker
Alma mater	University of Florida, Stetson University College of Law
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Battles/wars	Battle of the Bulge

Frederick Brennan "Fred" Karl (May 14, 1924 – March 7, 2013) was an American politician. A decorated U.S. service member, he began his political career serving in the Florida House of Representatives from 1956-1964, after which he was elected to the Florida State Senate from 1968-1971 and the Florida Supreme Court from 1977-1978.

Early life

Karl was born on May 14, 1924 in Daytona Beach, Florida to Fred J. Karl and Mary Brennan. He attended Seabreeze High School while working as an usher at a local theatre. After graduation, he enrolled in the University of Florida and earned a Bachelor of Science in 1942.

Later that year he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He served in the European Theater of Operations and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He was later awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart medals. In 1949 he received a law degree from Stetson University College of Law.

Career

Karl ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 1964. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives for Volusia County (District 14) in 1956, which he sat until 1964. He was elected to the state senate in 1968 and won an award the year after for "Most Outstanding First Term Member of the Senate". He served in the Senate until 1971.

Retirement(s)

In 1977, Karl was the last elected justice to the Florida Supreme Court, on which he served for one year. He retired and returned to private practice in April 1978. Later, he held positions of attorney to the Volusia County School Board, and District Attorney for Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach, and served as Chief Legal Officer and then as County Administrator of Hillsborough County, Florida. In 1994 he was appointed to head Tampa General Hospital.

In 2004, his eightieth year, Karl was appointed Interim City Attorney for Tampa, Florida, and then advisor to the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority in response to allegations of improper conduct by the Authority. In addition to serving in state and local offices, Karl was active as a community member, participating in many organizations such as the Rotary Club of Tampa, United Way of Hillsborough County, and the Stetson University Law Board of Overseers. He later retired from public life for the fourth and final time.

Election

Florida the 4th District Court election, 1976

← 1972 November 7, 1976 1977 →

Nominee Frederick B. Karl John L. Hill Popular vote 1,183,828 1,166,919 Percentage 50.0% 49.2% Karl:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Hill:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Thompson:      50-60%

Florida the 4th District Court of Appeal before election James C. Adkins Democrat Elected Florida the 4th District Court of Appeal Frederick B. Karl Republican

Personal life

Karl's hobbies included boating, fishing, swimming. and water skiing. He released his autobiography, The 57 Club: My Four Decades in Florida Politics, in 2010. In a 2010 news article, Karl told a reporter that he was suffering from heart disease along with a progressive form of Parkinson's disease and diabetes. Karl was married to Faye Brooker Karl from 1948 until their divorce in June 1971. They had four children. He remarried to Mercedes Jensen Proctor in August 1971.

Awards and honors

Karl was the winner of the 2004 Ralph A. Marsicano Award, an annual award in Florida for the person who has made significant contributions to the field of law over the long term. Tampa mayor Pam Iorio proclaimed April 18, 2008 in Tampa, Florida as named Frederick B. Karl Day. A government building in Hillsborough County, Florida is named for him.

Death

Karl died at his home in Tampa aged 88.