Karl Emanuel

Karl Werner Emanuel, Jr. passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at the age of 92.

Karl was born August 26, 1933, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Karl W. Emanuel and Dorthea Zentner Emanuel. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy before continuing his education at The Citadel, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets.

Following his education, Karl served in the United States Army and spent part of his service stationed in Germany. After completing his military service, Karl returned to Duluth, where he owned and operated an office supply company. In 1986, he relocated to Ohio, later transitioning into consulting on asbestos removal projects and teaching asbestos safety certification classes for many years until his retirement in 2010. Outside of work, Karl had a deep love for music. In Duluth he played trombone in a popular local band known as The Hungry Five, whose lively performances were a staple at weddings and celebrations throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Karl was believed to be the last surviving member of the band. Karl was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Emanuel; his twin sons, Karl and David Emanuel; and his former wife, Marguerite Hubert Emanuel. He is survived by his children Debbie Norgard (Eric), Elizabeth “Betsy” Gamble (Jim), and Karl Emanuel III (Karen); his stepchildren Beth (Brian) Young and Kristin (Dan) Draeger; and his beloved dog, Hunter.

We would like to thank Frank and Korrine Rowe for caring for and adopting Hunter, as well as Beth & Brian Young for their care and support.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Those who knew Karl will remember his sharp wit, his independence, and his trombone—now surely joining the music again with his old bandmates in The Hungry Five.