Karl J. Schiavo
1942-2006

Karl grew up in Santa Clara with his father Frank, mother Jeannette, brother Frank and sister Janice. It was a time when the Valley was recognized for its fertile land and the fruit it supplied worldwide. As a young boy, he played in open fields and orchards and took adventurous bike rides exploring the mines at Oak Hill, the train station where steam engines whistled and the airport where airplanes took off and landed.

His passion for flight continued in books he read on experimental aircraft and rocketry. Taking it a step farther, he, his brother and friends built rockets and cannons fueled by black powder. Some were so loud, they would have brought Homeland Security down on the neighborhood in today's world.

As a young teenager, he loved to run and joined the high school track team where he became one of the Valley's top athletes. He developed an interest in sports cars and the non-circular tracks on which they competed and traveled throughout California and Nevada, attending SCCA races. His love for the sport took a giant leap when he and his brother purchased a competition Corvette. He fine-tuned his driving skills and became an instant success.

Karl pursued his interest in the government and the politics that attach themselves by coming proactive. He earned a degree in Political Science, worked on campaigns and wrote endless letters to legislators and newspapers. One earned him the San Jose Mercury Silver Pen Award.

On one of his camping trips to Yosemite, he met a young nursing student named Randi, who later became his wife. When Glenn and Dawn were born, he committed to raising them in a healthy environment with an emphasis on family and education.

His professional career in the Valley's high tech companies survived layoffs, cutbacks, now called downsizing, and plant closings. He viewed these changes as opportunities to meet new friends.

Karl had a knack for connecting people. During gatherings in his home, he delighted in introducing strangers in hopes that they would become friends. There was always a good bottle of wine, pasta, nuts and fresh fruit. However, the most stimulating ingredients were the conversations.

When he wasn't hiking in Alum Rock Park, working at Prusch Farm Park where he served on the board of directors, or planting trees for neighbors, you could find him in front of the computer writing or reading. Close to one thousand books line shelves in his home, and hundred's of documents of his own writing can be found in his files.

He was a dreamer of inventions or ideas that would improve the environment. His visions were selfless. All he asked for was just enough money to live a comfortable lifestyle in a semi-remote area where nature flourished.

He never taught professionally but was a teacher in many ways, always looking for the opportunity to share what he had learned. His one request was that a person share this knowledge with others.

We honor him today as friends and family paying our respects. We can honor him in the future by carrying his spirit forward. His sister Janice wrote a note to their father when their mother died. It read, "No one is ever gone if we keep memories." Karl has left so many wonderful memories. His goals in life were for people to bond with each other and touch nature. If anything could describe Karl, it's his favorite song by John Lennon. "Imagine."