Karl George Stoedefalke died on January 8, 2023, at Juniper Village in State College, Pennsylvania, after a brief illness.
Karl lived a long and healthy life and loved to cook for family, friends, and guests. He frequently expressed “Our house is your house” and wanted everyone to feel welcome.
Karl was born January 24, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was the only child of Norma (née Krebs) and George Stoedefalke. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Upon graduation he entered the Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. Karl was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division and following the ceasefire was relocated to Japan. Upon discharge from the Marine Corps, Karl accepted a position as the athletic director and basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
From 1958-1960, Karl pursued his PhD in exercise science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Upon graduation, he was hired as an assistant professor of physical education and student health services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Karl’s 35-year career at the Pennsylvania State University started in 1970 when he was hired as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. While at Penn State, he directed the Executive Management Health Enhancement Program for the College of Business Administration, served as Associate Dean for Resident Instruction and was Acting Dean of the former College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Karl retired in 1995 with the rank of Professor Emeritus.
Karl had a gift and a passion for teaching. He enjoyed teaching in both the undergraduate and graduate programs at Penn State. Numerous students stayed in contact with Karl through the years and they consistently reminded him, through letters, visits, and phone calls, that his mentorship was instrumental in their professional success. As a pioneer in cardiac rehabilitation, Karl particularly liked helping students learn how to lead exercise for patients recovering from a cardiovascular event.
Karl is highly regarded by his peers as one of the pioneers of modern fitness. He co-authored the first edition of the American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. His academic writings appear in numerous professional journals, books, and textbooks. Karl received numerous professional honors and awards for his work in the areas of exercise for both healthy populations and those at-risk for cardiovascular disease.
Karl was predeceased by his wife, Lura “Lorie” Stoedefalke (née Harden), who died in 2007. They were married 49 years. Karl and Lorie loved time with family, after-dinner conversations, scenic drives to Belleville, travelling to Nova Scotia, and long walks to breakfast.
Karl is survived by his three children, Kerstin Ann Stoedefalke of Enfield, NH, Brant Harden Stoede of Boulder, Colorado and Katie Beth Blakslee and her husband Mike Blakslee of Edwards, Colorado; 6 granddaughters, Kate Choudhury and her husband Tahsin Choudhury, Ellie Thompson, Annie Blakslee, Emma Blakslee, Molly Blakslee, and Leela Stoede and one great granddaughter, Ava Choudhury.
Later in life, Karl was fortunate to have found Janet Fowler Dargitz, his dedicated partner for the past 14 years. They enjoyed extensive travel, PSU sporting events, particularly women’s volleyball, and attending the theatre.
Karl encouraged his family to include exercise as a life-long habit with prompts to “take the stairs, not the elevator!” and “park furthest away and walk!” He was a life-long meditator and devoted time every morning and evening to do his “20 minutes.” He shared with his children his passion for fishing and looked forward to fishing trips in Alaska. Karl was also a skilled card player who taught his children and grandchildren to play cribbage and sheepshead. An avid skier, Karl skied until he was 80 and enjoyed countless days on the mountains in Colorado. Throughout his long life, he was a voracious reader and often started conversations with “What have you been reading?” Karl’s positive influence, sayings, and professional contributions will long be remembered by students, colleagues, friends, and family.
To honor Karl, his family will hold a celebration of his life at a later date. The Karl G. Stoedefalke Faculty Award in the Department of Kinesiology at Penn State has been established by Janet Fowler Dargitz. Memorial gifts towards the award, made payable to Pennsylvania State University, can be sent to the College of Health and Human Development, 325 HHD Building, University Park, PA 16802.