Remembering "CampbellCarl" - 8-16-1954 / 2-19-2016

[Paul65k]

I'm saying a prayer for you my friend....but we all know you won't need it.....you were truly one of the "Good Souls" here on earth and I know that you'll be waiting to greet all your boating friends when we all eventually join you one of these days.

I'll see you in the other side where the water is always smooth, the ride is always fast and your smile is always with us.......go with God my friend you are sorely missed.

 

[outboardrick]

It's amazing.... I feel as if I've lost a family member and I've never met Carl. I feel I know him from his witty posts and have always looked forward to his responses. I feel that I'm a lesser person for not have been able to spend time with him. Amazing.....
Gods Speed Brother.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

My introduction to Carl was on the internet forum boards I think around 2007. With a name like Campbell Carl, all I could think was where has this guy been hiding? It wasn't long before he attended one of our river trips and I remember pulling into the park and Billy telling me how I needed to go meet Campbell Carl and how cool he was. My first impression was wow this dude looks like a movie star. He was tall, tan, had wind tunnel perfect hair and piercing blue eyes. He was easy going, warm and inviting and just a classy dude all around.

As the years clicked off, my impression of him changed little. Always a big hearted generous guy who had a love for the river and old school fast boats. I would say he loved the Grand nationals the most.

Carl, loved socializing. As other's have said, he loved making friends and expanding his social universe. He opened up his home, RV and fridge to probably more than anyone. He loved helping wherever and whomever he could.

On the forums he used his strong wit to playfully put a few of us in check especially riverdave.

I'm gonna miss Carl and I'm obviously not alone. :thumbsup Rest in Peace my friend!

 

[milkmoney]

My heart jus hurts as I read all the posts, as already stated by many, we/I have lost a great guy and a good friend.

I tried to remember how long ago I met Carl, and jus can't remember, the one thing I know is that I will always remember all the times at the boating events we shared, laughs, drinks and a friendship. Not only has RDP, family and friends lost a good man, the world has also. Not to many like Carl in this world ... I am grateful for knowing Carl.

There has only been two men in my lifetime that I shed tears, 1st is my favorite uncle I lost many years ago, and the second is my friend Carl Peterson. My thoughts to Carl's family and all his friends, who will as I will miss him very much ..........

I will always keep Carmel Carl in my contacts as he will always be in my thoughts.

May you rest in peace and will see you again one day my friend........Godspeed

 

[TBI]

Campbell Carnak :tbi

 

[DURAMAXYFZ]

Nobody tells Carl when the party is over, He did it in his own time RIP.

 

[28Eliminator]

Only pic I have on my phone.. Carl down in front of my boat, with paul65k, myself and Shintooo...

I'm gonna miss him....

 

[wsuwrhr]

Nobody tells Carl when the party is over, He did it in his own time RIP.

Here, here good sir.

 

[TBI]

 

[Oso Viejo]

Lest anyone think Carl was strictly about boating and his work, here are a couple bits of Carl Lore for the collective RDP knowledge base:

Carl was a Varsity swimmer and water polo guy. We never tired of teasing him about smuggling grapes in his speedos or remarking upon how cold the water must be. He always took it with good humor and a smile.

Anyone who followed the FB thread may be able to figure out that CC sang in Barber Shop Quartets. This goes waaaay back and he actually was in one with one of our HS teachers.

We brought Carl into our 'historical society' E Clampus Vitas during the Reagan Administration. Anyone familiar with ecv knows it only has a passing acquaintance with history. Mostly it's about spending a weekend with the guys drinking and telling war stories.

AS much as he enjoyed having a belt, one rarely saw Carl out of control. When he got near his limit, he would drift away and sack out. Many are the times I wish I had followed his example.

Carl was a great guy and a good friend and while I will miss his company I will never forget him.

 

[TBI]

Lest anyone think Carl was strictly about boating and his work, here are a couple bits of Carl Lore for the collective RDP knowledge base:

Carl was a Varsity swimmer and water polo guy. We never tired of teasing him about smuggling grapes in his speedos or remarking upon how cold the water must be. He always took it with good humor and a smile.

Anyone who followed the FB thread may be able to figure out that CC sang in Barber Shop Quartets. This goes waaaay back and he actually was in one with one of our HS teachers.

We brought Carl into our 'historical society' E Clampus Vitas during the Reagan Administration. Anyone familiar with ecv knows it only has a passing acquaintance with history. Mostly it's about spending a weekend with the guys drinking and telling war stories.

AS much as he enjoyed having a belt, one rarely saw Carl out of control. When he got near his limit, he would drift away and sack out. Many are the times I wish I had followed his example.

Carl was a great guy and a good friend and while I will miss his company I will never forget him.

Thank you! :thumbsup

 

[shan]

View attachment 467336

A great day!

 

[stoker22405]

God Speed Carl

 

[knuckle head]

RIP Carl
You will missed :-(

 

[Flyinbowtie]

I will share a couple of stories that I never thought I would.
When I announced on here that I had been diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer Carl was the first to send me a PM. He was there from the git go, from the diagnosis til three years later when I was declared, "cured".
Carl and I were close in age; he was 4 years older than me, and I respected his life experience as he did mine. I shared a lot of stuff with him, he was always ready to listen. He shared some of his stuff with me, which will always remain between us. When we disagreed on something it went to PM and even if we didn't change each other's mind we at least understood where the other guy was coming from.
Our internet "relationship" grew to the point where back when I was here all the time and would miss a day when I came back there would be a PM waiting from him..."Where are you...you ok?"

As RDP grew and really took off Carl sort of became the informal "Inmate Benevolent Society Director" and every now and then I would get a PM from him that would go something like this...

"Hey Jeff there is a thread in the lounge started by XXXXX. I can tell he/she is really hurting/in trouble/asking for advice and what he needs is a dose of FBT wisdom. Can you get in there and see what you can do?" The first time he did this I was thinking, "what?...whaddya mean FBT wisdom...there ain't no such thing man.." but, I was humbled that he thought my words could help someone, so I always jumped in with something.
And he would always PM back something like, "perfect, thanks"
The man genuinely cared. There wasn't a phony bone in his body.

Carl cared about RDP because he cared about people, period. Boat people, people that share the boating hot rod lifestyle he so loved were automatically deemed friends. That is no surprise to anyone who knew him. What was special about Carl was that he didn't give a hoot for the kudo's that invariably come with being the kind of guy he was. In fact he would probably be mad at me for sharing this.
I will miss getting those PM's.
The world is a lessor place tonight without him.

 

[l84theriv]

I dont know about you guys but Ive been crying on and off since I heard the news. And only met him once in person other then knowing him here on the boards. RDP is a amazing place. Although I dont know alot of you I consider you all friends and brothers and sisters. Again RIP are fellow boater CC. May the whiskey be on the rocks and the Hallett 210 run like scared chicken in heavens rivers. Hopefully I will see you at those pearly gates when I get there.

 

[Ziggy]

Im gonna miss his tart posts and corrective language.
My time with "C" was limited but always enjoyable.
I'm having a hard time grasping the fact he won't be on this earth any longer. One of those "he'll be back tomorrow" kinda thoughts. Damn, Dam.......Dammit!
[emoji174]

 

[l84theriv]

Im gonna miss his tart posts and corrective language.
My time with "C" was limited but always enjoyable.
I'm having a hard time grasping the fact he won't be on this earth any longer. One of those "he'll be back tomorrow" kinda thoughts. Damn, Dam.......Dammit!
[emoji174]

I agree

 

[napanutt]

I've never met Carl but I choked up a bit reading the post from those that have today.
RIP Carl.

 

[TBulger]

RIP Carl, you always made time for Brad and me.

 

[shintoooo]

I'm just sitting here shaking my head in disbelief

 

[DURAMAXYFZ]

I dont know about you guys but Ive been crying on and off since I heard the news. And only met him once in person other then knowing him here on the boards. RDP is a amazing place. Although I dont know alot of you I consider you all friends and brothers and sisters. Again RIP are fellow boater CC. May the whiskey be on the rocks and the Hallett 210 run like scared chicken in heavens rivers. Hopefully I will see you at those pearly gates when I get there.

As have I, I've meet him half a dozen times. You could have meet him a year ago...Always knew exactally who you were.

 

[Terminal Velocity]

Rest in peace my friend. Although we didn't have much time together in person, the time we did have is invaluable. Your infectious smile, uncanny wit and genuine good person I will take with me until we meet again. God Speed sir, untill we meet again.

 

[28Eliminator]

Carl texted me about 6 or 8 monhs ago, "hey, I'm in your neighborhood, wanna do lunch?". We met at a restaurant in the Westfield mall out here where he was working in a remodel... Don't remember which one, but we had a good time.. Talking crap about RDP, Boats and of course work.. Great time. He, of course, insisted on buying, and wouldn't accept it any other way.. The world lost a good one tonight. Breaks my heart...

 

[sergeantmike]

[video=youtube;IeE92WVe_so]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeE92WVe_so[/video]


If you guys have pics and stories of Carl, please share them in this thread. I have quite a few things I'd like to say about Carl, and I will, but I'm absolutely wrecked right now so I can't seem to put it together. I'll edit this later, and describe how much Carl has done for myself and RDP as a whole over the years. He has been a giant influence in my life, and on this place since the beginning and we will miss him terribly.

Planned on doing a boat ride tonight... no idea it would be in memory of Campbell Carl.... Thought of you my friend on a perfect night in a boat in Havasu...

 

[Beautiful Noise]

RIP Carl ....

 

[was thatguy]

Why?

I mean, wtf does it all mean, good people are taken, assholes live on, what makes any of it matter?

Sorry, but days like this just make no sense to me at all.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

A good friend of mine from High School passed away last week from a drug overdose. He and I spent a lot of time together growing up, but when I heard the news of his passing I wasn't that sad. Carl's passing really has me worked up though. I know a lot of you have known him longer than I, but this just really makes me sad. I really thought we were going to have him back.......

 

[l84theriv]

We all take this life we have for granite........

 

[h2o225]

Carl may you forever rest in peace. Family and friends may we all rejoice in his memoiries.

 

[Rattle Can Lou]

We all take this life we have for granite........

In true CC fashion...did you mean taken this life we have for granted??

 

[Enen]

Only pic I have on my phone.. Carl down in front of my boat, with paul65k, myself and Shintooo...

I'm gonna miss him....

Carl rode with us on this dam run. It was my family, Carl, and 454 Rocket on my boat. We rolled out of Katherine's landing with less than a full tank of gas, and ran up to the Dam.

My wife didn't grow up around water. Swimming and boating is a bit out of her comfort zone. She is much more comfortable now, but this was our first season with our boat. Trying to make sure the weekend went off without incident, we pull into Cottonwood on the way back down to top off with fuel. Sure as shit, there was a OUI check point, and a cop on a jet ski pulls us in.

I don't drink when I'm the driver, so that wasn't a problem, but we were one life jacket short of our " safety inspection". They were digging through my mid-cabin looking for another jacket to stack into the passenger's seat while the cops stood on the dock ready to issue us a citation. Next thing I know my son, who was standing in the open bow steps into the cabin, and a new life jacket is found and tossed onto the pile.

The cops were as cool as they could have been. They let us go without a citation. As everyone got back on board, the officer comes up to me, and says " make sure your son puts his life jacket back on" It was a great day on the water, and one my kids talk about often.

 

[Fun Times]

So very sorry to hear of Carl's passing, honestly this is so very sad.

I'm really going to miss seeing CC's signature Big Grin Move where he says something funny and down a few paragraph spaces you finally see his big grin green smiley face.

May you rest in peace Mr.CampbellCarl.

 

[LuckyStrike]

I just don't seem to have the words
He was a great friend
We did a lot of things together not just boating
You will be well missed my friend

 

[Outdrive1]

I just don't seem to have the words
He was a great friend
We did a lot of things together not just boating
You will be well missed my friend

X2 AJ. I still can't wrap my head around it all. It doesn't seem real to me.

 

[RogerThat99]

I had planned to come visit Carl on Saturday, but reading between the lines, I didn't know if Saturday was going to be an option. So I decided to drive down from the Lake Shasta area on Thursday to see him (647 miles). I got to the hospital about 8pm and spent about 1.5 hours with him Thursday night. I read him all the threads / comments on RDP, FB and PB. I passed on all the messages I could think of from the Inmates. We discussed the pros and cons of 4 or 5 boats i have had my eye on (it was a pretty one-sided conversation). I also brought Carl a floatie key chain from the Lake Tahoe Keys. I put it in his hand and helped him squeeze the foam in his hand. I left it with him.

I went back on Friday, then took Carl's sister and friend / neighbor Fred to lunch at a place Carl had recommended to me last Summer. I came back and visited some more. Fred's Dad (Fred Sr.), Carl's Cousin, and Carl's Nephew (Karen's Son) were all there. As we were leaving at 3:30 ish, we gathered in a circle which included Carl, held Carl's hands and Carl's nephew said a prayer wishing Carl peace, asking for a miracle, but ultimately putting Carl's future in God's hands. This was around 3:00 pm. When I left, Carl still had the floatie key chain in his hand. I asked Karen to please make sure the key chain stayed with him to his final resting place. I got the text at 4:50 that the Ambassador had passed on to the afterlife.

I am very glad I got to see him. I want to say a big THANK YOU to all that opened up your homes to me (Ductape1000, Spotondl, WMC & Wendi, and Rivermobster). I ended up staying at Rivermobster's place as it seemed like the closest (thank you Joe!! It was great to meet you and your family in person.).

I think we all hope that when it is our time, that we will receive the outpouring of love that Carl did. I can't tell you how glad I am that I made the almost 1,100 mile round trip.

Godspeed Carl and thank you for being such a wonderful person to so many people. You will be missed.

RT99

 

[Riverbound]

I had to repost this which Dylan (whiteworks) posted on Facebook.

"Yesterday 2/19/16 the world lost a true original Carl Petersen, Ive known Carl for about 10 years now, we were members of the same drinking team, not everyone knows that drinking is a team sport but let me tell you it certainly is when you get the right group of people together and Carl was the absolute master of bringing all these people together, anytime, anyplace, no location was too obscure or remote for a full fledged party to break out with just the pull of a tail gate handle, followed by a smile and nod from Carl. The amazing thing about Carl is that I don't believe he ever met a stranger, nor was it possible to meet him and not be dazzled by the attention he put into you personally, Carl was a master of finding that sweet spot in people and bringing them into a group. Carl also had an amazing intuition when it came to strategic location for beverage refreshment center location which is quite evident in theses photos from the Catalina Water Ski Race 2015. Carl in his infinite wisdom placed a beverage refreshment center at about the exact midway point between the fantail observation deck of the Queen Mary where the race is spectated from (and a bar is located) and the Maya Hotel (1 mile walk to other bar) where post race celebrations occur long into the night. With a quick nod, smile and lowering of a tailgate a very festive event within an event broke out right there in a parking lot in long beach. It has been an absolute honor and pleasure to know you Carl, when you left you took a little piece of all of our hearts with you, but I'll be damned if you didn't leave and even bigger piece of your own heart with each and everyone of us who was able to call you a friend. I'm retired from the sport of competitive drinking these days but I'll make sure there is a cold keg of beer sitting at the midway point for CSR2016, you know the time and place, feel free to stop by."~whiteworks

View attachment 467453

View attachment 467454

View attachment 467455

On This particular day Cristen and I were on our way to temecula after watching the race. We got stopped at the exit of the queen Mary parking lot by Lynch and Carl for "just one". I'm so happy we had the "one" drink.

 

[TBI]

I had planned to come visit Carl on Saturday, but reading between the lines, I didn't know if Saturday was going to be an option. So I decided to drive down from the Lake Shasta area on Thursday to see him (647 miles). I got to the hospital about 8pm and spent about 1.5 hours with him Thursday night. I read him all the threads / comments on RDP, FB and PB. I passed on all the messages I could think of from the Inmates. We discussed the pros and cons of 4 or 5 boats i have had my eye on (it was a pretty one-sided conversation). I also brought Carl a floatie key chain from the Lake Tahoe Keys. I put it in his hand and helped him squeeze the foam in his hand. I left it with him.

I went back on Friday, then took Carl's sister and friend / neighbor Fred to lunch at a place Carl had recommended to me last Summer. I came back and visited some more. Fred's Dad (Fred Sr.), Carl's Cousin, and Carl's Nephew (Karen's Son) were all there. As we were leaving at 3:30 ish, we gathered in a circle which included Carl, held Carl's hands and Carl's nephew said a prayer wishing Carl peace, asking for a miracle, but ultimately putting Carl's future in God's hands. This was around 3:00 pm. When I left, Carl still had the floatie key chain in his hand. I asked Karen to please make sure the key chain stayed with him to his final resting place. I got the text at 4:50 that the Ambassador had passed on to the afterlife.

I am very glad I got to see him. I want to say a big THANK YOU to all that opened up your homes to me (Ductape1000, Spotondl, WMC & Wendi, and Rivermobster). I ended up staying at Rivermobster's place as it seemed like the closest (thank you Joe!! It was great to meet you and your family in person.).

I think we all hope that when it is our time, that we will receive the outpouring of love that Carl did. I can't tell you how glad I am that I made the almost 1,100 mile round trip.

Godspeed Carl and thank you for being such a wonderful person to so many people. You will be missed.

RT99

You're a good man Scott :thumbsup

 

[slowride]

God takes Carl but Zsa Zsa is still here? Sorry if it's too soon for a little humor, but it seems kind of appropriate. First met Carl back in the old HB days and as seemed his norm he approached me to say hi. Crossed paths sporadically throughout the years at various events, and he was always upbeat and outgoing..... a familiar face and pleasure to hang out with. Swapped parts and PM's...... he truly was a great part of our lifestyle. Doesn't matter which lunatic faction of boating you belonged to, Carl was your friend and an essential glue to keeping it together in his own way.
He won't soon be forgotten and will be missed by all. RIP.

 

[100dollarman]

R.I.P.

 

[Ziggy]

View attachment 467247

I didn't get to hang out with Carl as much as some of you, but he was always someone I looked forward to seeing at events. He was always so welcoming and was quick with a hug, a laugh, and that thousand-watt smile. Such a kind, gentle guy with a great sense of humor. He was the one that dubbed me the "Kitchen Dweller", a nickname that always made me laugh...

He was one of the pillars of RDP and was a large part of what makes this community great. I'm really going to miss you, Carl

xoxo,
Your "Kitchen Dweller"

This picture is the time I was reminding Jan that she'd met him.......:thumbsup

 

[Ziggy]

A good friend of mine from High School passed away last week from a drug overdose. He and I spent a lot of time together growing up, but when I heard the news of his passing I wasn't that sad. Carl's passing really has me worked up though. I know a lot of you have known him longer than I, but this just really makes me sad. I really thought we were going to have him back.......

A friend recently was struck down with what sounds very similar to Carl, for him the fortunate thing was he was found unresponsive almost right away.......so I was positive Carl would follow a similar path and recover, perhaps slower, but recover. The sadness that comes over me when thinking about Carl now is affecting me much more than I thought it would or should....goes to show you how much influence he had in all of our thoughts.

 

[LuckyStrike]

Toast to Carl

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

Still having a hard time letting this sink in...



R.I.P. Carl

 

[ductape1000]

Still having a hard time letting this sink in...



R.I.P. Carl

I'm sure clean up day will be rough, but no matter how I try to think this is real, it will be the next boat race I go to when Carl isn't there in body that it will really hit me.

[emoji20]

 

[milkmoney]

Still having a hard time letting this sink in...



R.I.P. Carl

+1[emoji22]. I have a lot of time to jus ponder and day dream , you could understand that better by seeing my surroundings ,





Someone pinch me , cause it feels Un real. I keep saying. Why ?

 

[t&y]

So sad. I never got the chance to talk to him but he is obviously loved by many and will be missed by everyone. Always seemed to be a level headed fun loving guy from what I've read in the past. The Damn Dam run will be a little more special this year.

Godspeed to you Carl.

 

[SoCalZero]

I always saw Carl's post on here quite frequently and he has helped me a few times on here. I always wanted to meet him just to see who this "CampbellCarl" exactly was and he seemed like a cool guy. Just reading through all the post past couple of days I feel like I knew him. Rest in peace Carl.

 

[Lumpy]

My one and only correspondence with Carl on RDP. Copy/Paste
As I went through my old messages today I found this.
Seeing his Avatar made me tear up. I remember reading his post on other sites but here mostly.
Having a shot of Bushmills now.

First, you MUST call it by its proper name.....the Damn Dam Run!
There really isn't a story. Several year back a group of Hot Boaters gathered together for a Katherine's to Hoover run and it has become an annual event. Kid friendly yes, join in yes!
There are no sponsors, shirts, meals, beverages or anything else provided. Any hotel or moorage needs are on you. Want to stay? call a hotel or the landing. Need a slip? Call the landing.
We meet up at the north side of the 5 mph bouys at 9:30am on 8/17 and leave at 10. The DCB's Fountains etc run fast so they kinda run together so there's 70 mph groups, 50 mph groups and 35 mph groups. Stop at Cottonwood Cove to pick up any boats there then head up lake. Couple of pee stops/beverage breaks both directions. Bring your own beverages and food. Possible beach to BBQ on the return and usually a stop in Gasoline Alley. If you stay at the landing, there is a group for cocktails on the lawn both Friday and Saturday after the run.
Gas at K Land, Cottonwood and Willow Beach. Bring everything that you expect to need. Run is approx 130 miles round trip. Wind can come up and the basin can get nasty so if a smaller boat, expect the possibility of running the shore all the way back, pulling up in a cove to wait it out or get the crap beat of you crossing the basin.
Great bunch of people, you'll enjoy. When we get closer to the date you may see some guys talking about a caravan from Parker, then meet a group in Havasu then roll up together.

What a kind, humble, class act Carl was. Meet you on the other side Carl!

 

[TheKeysLife]

still cant believe its true, going to miss you carl R.I.P