Obituary: Karl William Daegling
May 21, 1964 – April 1, 2014
Karl William Daegling was born in Oslo, Norway on May 21, 1964 and moved to Lake Tahoe in September of that same year.
Karl attended Kings Beach Elementary School where he learned to play the guitar in the third grade. This sparked a passion for music Karl would carry his entire life. The summer before his freshman year at North Tahoe High School, Karl attended the Interlocken School of Music in Traverse City, Michigan and with new music in his head, Karl returned home where the NTHS Jazz Band became the focus of this high school experience. Following graduation in 1982, Karl attended the University of California, San Diego graduating Cum in musical composition, art and the social sciences.
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Karl lived in Santa Cruz where his pursuit of music, art and language continued. He worked at Union Grove Music Store, built prayer drums, played music and started a recording and production studio. In 1996 Karl married his first wife Jakey Hicks and they relocated to Portland, OR. Karl managed McMenamin’s in St. John’s Wood and later worked at Marriot Hotel in Portland as a concierge while he pursued his music career. Jakey took a position as a designer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, and the distance created a rift that proved too great for the bonds of marriage.
Karl was later married to Jennifer Brungardt who became his musical partner in the duo “The Jungle Chickens” producing a CD of the same name. Their marriage faltered and Karl returned to North Tahoe in 2014. While still living in Portland Karl wrote and recorded some new songs entitled “Tiny Tunes.” Karl’s friends in the music field have shown interest in completing this CD posthumously.
Karl is remembered by a high school friend as “An innovative, funny and kind hearted guy who always kept things light.” A comment from a friend in New Jersey, “I learned a great deal from Karl about recording, performing and the joys of life.” And from another high school friend, “With the passing of Karl Daegling we lost a unique voice, and an unusual talent…”
Karl is survived by his parents John and Vera Daegling of Tahoe Vista, CA and his cousins of Lodi, CA and Gainesville, FL as well as many friends.
A memorial service will be held from 11 am- 3 pm on June 14 at the North Tahoe Events Center in Kings Beach, CA.
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