Karl H. West Jr.

Karl H. West Jr, age 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 30, 2022, in Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wrentham, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 5, 1926, he was the son of the late Karl and Carrie Louise West.

He married the love of his life, Dorothy Elsie Nielsen on September 16, 1949, in a church in Hyde Park. Together they made their home in Walpole and raised their two daughters, Diane and Janice.

Karl spent his career as Math teacher, author of a geometry book, and the Director of Mathematics for the town of Needham. During this time, he also coached track and cross country which allowed him to share his knowledge from his own track days for which he earned many medals.   Prior to his teaching career, Karl was a WW II veteran, obtained his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, his master’s degree in Education, and was a member of several drum and bugle corps. 

Hobbies included old tool collecting and auctions, building a summer cottage for his family on a lake in NH, photography and winning awards for his photos in the days before digital cameras, wildflowers purchased and incorporated in his back yard nature walk with dozens of unusual plants, and a passion for historical records.  His traced the family history back to the Mayflower, wrote many articles for the American Industries publications, and researched many facts about various Norfolk County areas and Walpole’s history which included a walking tour, written at age 96, which was distributed by the Walpole Senior Center.  

Beloved husband of the late wife Dorothy E. (Nielsen) West
Loving father of Diane West Jackson of Bangor, ME and Janice Dorothy Carney of Stewartstown, NH.
Cherished grandfather of Jennifer Lynn (Jackson) Page of Rockland, ME, Nicholas Benjamin Jackson of Bangor, ME and Bonnie Lynn West of Concord, NH.

Interment will be held privately at Fairview Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karl’s memory to the Garden in the Woods Native Plant Trust, 180 Hemenway Rd, Framingham, MA  01701