Carl F. Kettler

Carl Frederick Kettler, age 85 years, of Raritan Township, New Jersey passed away on Monday, 18 April 2022. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 44 years, Marianne Louise Kettler, who died in 2015.

Born in Queens, New York, 19 December 1936, he was the son of the late William and Martha (Allmendinger) Kettler. As a true travel vagabond, as he considered himself, the trajectory of his life, often with his wife and daughter in tow, frequently took him around the globe throughout 6 of the 7 continents and included residencies throughout Europe, California, New York, and New Jersey.

As a young man, Carl served in the United States Air Force from 1955-1959 and was honorably discharged after his service. He then received his degree in aeronautical engineering in two years from St. Louis University and his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley in just one year.

His career accomplishments, having been recognized by Who’s Who as a noteworthy airline executive, are impressive by any standard and include Project Manager at TWA, International Marketing Director at Flying Tiger Lines, Special Assistant to US Senator Henry Bellmon, Director of Federal Affairs for the Air Transport Association, Co-Organizer of Midway Airlines, Board of Governors of the Flight Safety Foundation, Partner in Sunburst Energy, Co-Founder of Trans-Center Airlines, Founder of T.H.E. Airline, National Security Adviser to President Reagan, and Guest Lecturer at St. Louis University. Further, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in 1959, the National Jesuit Scholastic Honors Award in 1965, and the Alumni Merit Award from St. Louis University in 1991.

Though he largely worked as an airlines executive and was instrumental in bringing new and innovative ideas to the industry, Carl, along with Marianne, was also extremely active in the local community to include serving as a Founder of the Oak Summit School Historical Society and as a Delegate at the Republican National Convention. In addition, he and Marianne led and organized the effort to successfully stop construction of a proposed 300-acre regional garbage dump in Hunterdon County, flying in Academy Award winning actors and other notable figures for a fundraising event the likes of which Hunterdon County has likely not seen since.

Carl was also an active member in several other academic, professional, and social organizations to include the National Defense Transportation Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Oklahoma Heritage Association, Oklahoma State Society, International House (Berkeley), California Alumni Association, Grand National Quail Club, Capitol Hill Club, National Aviation Club, International Aviation Club, Wings Club, Aero Club, Alpha Eta Rho, and Alpha Sigma Nu.

For over 30 years, Carl and Marianne were the owners of Kettler & Kettler Employment Services, Inc., the largest and oldest employment agency in Hunterdon County employing tens of thousands.

He remains the husband of Marianne, the father of Heidi, and the Opa of Maxwell and Adeline.

Burial and graveside services with military honors will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Capner Street, Flemington, New Jersey on Saturday, 21 May 2022, at 11:00AM, under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, New Jersey. Memorial luncheon to follow at Copper Hill Country Club in Ringoes, New Jersey at 12:00PM. You are welcome to RSVP or share memories with Heidi at heidikettler@hotmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Carl's name may be made to Catholic Relief Services to provide relief for Ukranian families at https://support.crs.org/donate/donate-ukraine or please donate to the ASPCA or another animal welfare organization of your choosing.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.