Karl Heinz Strauss Obituary in Dartmouth at Donald K. Walker Funeral Directors

Karl Heinz Strauss

Passed 02/18/2023

Obituary For Karl Heinz Strauss

Karl Strauss, most recently of Blockhouse, Nova Scotia, passed away at age 76, on February 18th 2023 after an extended battle with Kidney Cancer. He was surrounded by his daughters, grandchild, and son-in-law; all of whom were the light of his life. With each having their own sense of humor, it was a pleasure to watch the gentle needling that went on between them, and the tenacity in which they did whatever needed doing. It was hard to tell who rubbed off of whom the most.

Born in Gronau West Germany, Karl’s family first immigrated to Canada in 1952 growing up on farms thus getting his hands on “machinery” for the first time. Upon the death his father, Karl returned to Germany in 1961 to enter an apprenticeship graduating with a diploma in Industrial Machine Technology in April of ’65, primarily in the textile industry. He continued his career after returning to Canada on his own, bypassing a mandatory military draft of two years he felt was just wasting time, especially since he knew he was being ‘ordained’ for the music Corps - which did little to add to his mechanical aptitude.

Karl then started his journey first as a welder/millwright, receiving his journeyman certification as a heavy duty mechanic with Finning Tractor, eventually becoming the mobile equipment maintenance superintendent at a sawmill operation in Pemberton, B.C. About 18 months later he moved to Vancouver where his career took a drastic turn from forestry focused industries to a marine environment one. It was also about this time that Karl adopted one his famous “Strauss’s Laws” namely, “Always tackle challenges 25% more than you can handle – when comfortable with them, start the next set.”

While working as a hydraulic technician, Karl took various night courses at the British Columbia Institute of Technology then being recruited to run the hydraulics department for International Hydrodynamics, (Hyco) who designed and built manned subsea submersibles most notably the Pisces class. These have a depth capability of 7200 feet which set up new challenges in that the sea pressure down there exceeded the hydraulic system pressure! Hydraulics in reverse!

After the buy-out of Hyco, Karl was placed in charge of the hydraulic controls group for Lockheed Petroleum Services, building a dry environment manifold center with 9 wellhead cellars, sitting on the ocean floor offshore Brazil. These were up to 7 miles apart from each other and entered for servicing via a diving bell which was a hoot by itself. The project wrapped up in late January 1995.

For the next 12 years and now with primary residence in Houston Texas, Karl then held various positions in Engineering thru Marine and Offshore Group Manager, being a principal in the design and build of the following projects;

Six anchor handling and towing systems for Husky Marine (pictured in the aft end). Two similar systems for the Miscaroo and Ikaluck Icebreakers. The complete crane hydraulic systems for the Seaspan Rigger and Forester self-dumping log barges. Development, installation and commissioning of portable 2000 HP extended azimuthing thruster drives which convert dead barges into dynamically positioned work vessels. These are just a few of the projects that sent Karl to various corners of the world interacting on short notice with all manner of cultures and customs. He claims that his marked success in these endeavors was due to a large degree in Strauss’s Law number two; “Remember that for every employee working for you, a complete family is attached with wants and desires similar to your own - dummy!”

Changing venue for the final time, Karl became the engineering manager for the Downhole Service Tools division of National Oilwell Varco. He was instrumental in developing all manner of drill string test, make-up and break out high torque machines. His last project was as senior staff engineer developing what became affectionately known as the Monster Dyno. This 110 foot long machine is used to test drill string mud motors up 90,000 foot lbs. and at 230 rpm, swallows 7,000 HP!

Upon retirement at age 70, Karl returned to Nova Scotia, closer to his daughter. He bought a property near Mahone Bay, a tourist and boating community. Although most folks would build a 20 X 24 foot garage for vehicles, Karl air-conditioned his and filled it with woodworking tools, which he used to build cedar strip kayaks, canoes, plus all manner of open and closed wood turnings.

Karl will be fiercely missed, but not forgotten.

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Condolences

03/01/2023

Chris Peitchinis

My sincere condolences to Karl's family. I met Karl in business as a customer for over 30 years. He was an interesting character and liked by all who met him. RIP my friend.
02/28/2023

Carl Pardy

So sorry to hear of Karls passing. I worked on the Husky vessels as master and Karl did work on our hydraulic systems, especially for the main winch. We became very good friends and no doubt had a few dark & dirty drinks together.. RIP my friend
02/24/2023

Michael rankin

My sympathy to the Strauss family. At this time I am remembering Karl as I was very fortunate to work with him at Hydraulic Systems Limited early in my career. I was a junior apprentice in the hydraulic field and he was a mentor to me hydraulically and mechanically. When he moved to greener pastures in U.S.A. we kept in touch and it was always great to hear his voice when I picked up the phone and he was on the line. Upon his return to Nova Scotia I visited him at his new home in Beaverbank, N.S. with its amazing wood working shop where he had built beautiful kayaks and had numerous other projects in the making. I'll toast you Karl with a double dark and dirty. Rest easy my friend ! See you on the other side. Michael Rankin Hydraulic Systems/Pennecon Energy
02/24/2023

Neil MacDonald

Many fond memories were made with Karl and most, he and I will take with us. Good times travelling in Nova Scotia and of course Newfoundland. Many times we rolled up Signal Hill for happy hour, only to close the bar and coming back down was not a pretty sight. We last got together in Houston for supper, after a few phone calls, delays, cancellations and misleading directions. Karl suggested one of his favourite steak houses, of which there were two locations in the city. Karl of course sent us to one, while he went to the other. After waiting and several 'loud, fowl' phone calls, he finally realized what he had done and made a fast trip across the city, without incident and we laughed all eve, mostly at his expense. His parting words were I'll see you back in NS, after I retire soon, outfit a vessel and travel North via waterways and sea. I was saddened to learn that he had come back and then to read of his passing. May the many good memories made in better times, support and uphold y'all, through this sad life experience.🌹 Ruhe in frieden mein alter FREUND, Slainthe. With Sincere Sympathy Neil MacDonald Venture Hydraulic Limited
02/23/2023

Emilie, Robert and Mathieu Burns

Our sincere condolences to our friend Gailyn and family, keeping you in our prayers
02/23/2023

Himanshu Bhatt

Having worked with Karl during his time in Columbus, Ohio - we have so many stories to tell. As he called himself "a German from Canada living in USA" he loved his "Dark Rum & Coke in a Tall Glass" whenever he had a chance to have one. That, along with his love for "food" only brought some memorable one liners for all of us to talk about now bringing nothing but smile on our faces. He took great pleasure in talking with his "Super-kid" daughter by calling her on speaker phone to which she would yell "take me off the speaker phone!!!!" Remembering his sense of humor and his love for the family and friends would definitely what Super-kid and rest of the family would be doing because that is who Karl was. RIP Karl!! I will have one "Dark rum & coke in a tall glass" tonight to honor the life you lived.
02/23/2023

Stephen D. Carver

WHEN KARL MOVED IN OUR COMMUNITY A FEW YEARS AGO WE HIT IT RIGHT OFF BEING NEIGHBOURS. IF I WAS IN VIEW OF HIS SIGHT HE WOULD ALWAYS WAVE TO SAY HI OR IF HE DROVE BY WE HAD CHAT. HE ALWAYS SEEM TO BE HAPPY GO LUCKY I WISH I COULD HAVE KNOWN HIM BETTER BUT THE TIME I DID KNOW HIM I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THE TIME TO MEET HIM AND TO KNOW WHO HE WAS . YOU WERE A GREAT NEIGHBOUR YOU WILL BE SADLY MISSED. YOUR FRIEND STEPHEN D. CARVER BLOCKHOUSE N.S.
02/22/2023

Brenda & Gary Higgins

I raise my glass with fond memories with a "Double Dark and Dirty" as Karl called it.
02/22/2023

Brenda & Gary Higgins

I was shocked too read about Karl's passing. I worked with Karl for many years in the Hydraulic Industry here in Nova Scotia and had lots of fun and laughs along the way. While I was not sure if this was the Karl that I knew the more I read the more I knew that there could only be one Karl. I have a lot of funny stories and fond memories but unfortunately I lost contact with him after he moved back to NS. I hope that you girls will be okay and I send my deepest thoughts and condolences to you both as well as your children and families. If I could reach out to you in person I would.
02/21/2023

Mike Hunter

I too worked with Karl in Columbus. I have many stories but going on a kayak trip with him was the best. It started out with being pulled over by the police a 8 30 am for drunk driving which was just Karl swerving trying to read his gps. To the cop pulling his gun on him as Karl turned his back to get his drivers license out of his fanny pack. To learning to tie down his gps as it is now somewhere in the little darby after we tipped over. To after 8 hours as it was getting dark, we were wet, cold and still had an estimated 1 hour to go as we didn't have the gps. To Karl yelling Ahoy A Shore to a couple of guys shooting their guns into the river bank. (They said it was a good thing you yelled because we didn't see you). To Karl letting me out on the bank because we saw a roof top to see if anyone was home and had a truck. To me not leaving the house until the man agreed to help us. To Karl sitting on the kayak to keep it from falling out of the pick up as we tried to find where he parked his truck. Karl may be gone but I will never forget this trip or how much he loved the Superkid. RIP Karl
02/21/2023

Brian Howell

Karl was truly a pleasure to work with and a mentor/friend. I always enjoyed playing a round of golf with him and bantering about topics from business to the joy his children brought him. He is truly one of a kind, and heaven is a richer place with his presence. There are so many wonderful stories to remember Karl and all of them make me smile. My deepest condolences to the Strauss family.