Karl Kurt Heinz Freundt

DURHAM, NC – Karl Kurt Heinz Freundt, age 91, died at Duke Health’s Hock Family Pavilion on Sunday, October 27, 2024. He was born in Luckow, Germany, on Monday, April 3, 1933, to the late Erich Max Karl Freundt and Lucie Amalie Wilhelmine (Meck) Freundt.

As a young man in Berlin, Karl worked as the hospital administrator at Hubertus Krankenhaus, where he met the love of his life, Ottilie Wink. Their budding romance would soon face a pause as Karl pursued his dream of establishing a future in America. On July 3, 1956, Karl and his mother arrived in the United States aboard the SS Andrea Doria, with the country seemingly celebrating their arrival with a spectacular fireworks display the very next day – a welcome that Karl would fondly recall throughout his life. They settled briefly in New York before relocating to Boston to be closer to his beloved Tante Lotte. However, Karl’s American journey took an unexpected turn when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

His service as a chaplain's assistant from April 24, 1957, to April 9, 1959, led him back to Germany, where fate reunited him with Otti. Their romance quickly rekindled, blossoming into an engagement in 1957, followed by what Karl would humorously refer to as his "three marriages" to the same woman in 1958 – ceremonies necessary to satisfy German law, church requirements, and American military regulations. For the next 66 years, Karl delighted in introducing Otti as his "third wife," always with a twinkle in his eye.

After serving honorably as an SP 4 (E-4), Karl built a life with Otti in America, beginning in Boston, where their daughter Marion was born in 1959. They then moved to Philadelphia, welcomed their son Mark in 1966, and later relocated to Richmond, followed by Virginia Beach in 1968, before finally putting down permanent roots in Durham, North Carolina, in 1974. Karl's professional journey included decades of work as an insurance auditor for Crum & Forster. After retirement, he enjoyed 12 fulfilling years as a shuttler for Avis at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where he found camaraderie among fellow retirees.

Karl embraced life (and chocolate) with unstoppable enthusiasm. An avid motorcyclist well into his 80s, he also found joy in technology, carefully documenting his life stories in English – his second language – leaving a precious written legacy for his family. Karl’s love for adventure extended to exploring national parks across the United States and Canada with Otti, and frequent visits to local favorites like Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Eno River State Park. 

The Freundts maintained strong connections to their homeland throughout their lives, making cherished returns to Germany to embrace family and roots. These visits included meaningful stops at Dorfkirche Luckow, Karl’s childhood church, but primarily focused on spending precious time with beloved family and friends. Although Karl and Otti cultivated a fulfilling life in America, their German heritage remained close to their hearts. 

Karl's gift for finding silver linings and lifting spirits made him a beacon of positivity for all who knew him. This bright outlook on life never dimmed, even in his final days, just as his fighting spirit never wavered – having triumphantly battled through several bouts of cancer over the years. Karl's infectious optimism, his joy in life's simple pleasures, and his ability to make everyone feel special will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all those fortunate enough to have known him.  

Karl is survived by his children, Marion Carden (Randy) of Durham, NC, and Mark Freundt (Kim) of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Lauren Young (Mark) of Graham, NC, Stacey Carden of Durham, NC, Ben Freundt of Jupiter, FL, and Anna Freundt of Chantilly, VA; great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Miles, Cassidy, and Virginia Young of Graham, NC; dear friend, Najla Kurani of Gloucester, VA; and numerous loved ones throughout Germany. Karl was preceded in death by his beloved bride of 66 years, Ottilie Erna (Wink) Freundt, just 16 days before his own passing; his parents, Erich Max Karl Freundt and Lucie Amalie Wilhelmine (Meck) Freundt; and his brothers, Kurt Emil Wilhelm Freundt, Heinz Erich Max Freundt, and Willi August Karl Freundt.  

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 1:00 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W Cornwallis Rd, Durham. Friends and family may pay their respects during visitation  held one hour prior to the ceremony at the church. Following the memorial, Karl will be laid to rest at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Durham. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. 

The Freundt family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.