Remembering LCF Resident Carl Louis Almquist, Jr.

World War II veteran and Glendale native Carl Louis Almquist, Jr. died on Aug. 16. He was 85. 

Almquist was born on Oct. 4, 1926 in Glendale to parents Carl Louis Almquist Sr. and Nancy St. Clair who were married in 1924. He had one sibling, Catherine Almquist born in 1929.

He originally lived in Beverly Hills where his parents purchased a home and then moved to Glendale, where his parents purchased their second home. Almquist grew up in Glendale and attended Hoover High School where he enjoyed playing the violin. 

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II where he studied the engineering aspects of radar. Following the war, Almquist attended USC and studied engineering. 

While attending USC he met and married Vynette Delores “Peggy” Parrott in 1950. The couple purchased a home in La Canada in 1951 and had three sons, Robert Dobbs, Carl Louis the “III” and John William. 

Almquist's father established an industrial tool distribution company, Almquist Tool and Equipment, originally Almquist Brothers and Viets, which supplied and tooled the major aerospace manufacturers in Southern California during World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and throughout the Cold War. 

He was president of Almquist Tool and his brother-in-law Rollie Wuertz was Vice President. 

Almquist's son John wrote to Patch:

"Carl was devoted to his wife, and their three sons. Carl was active in local Republican Clubs, the Kiwanis, and La Canada Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed being with people. He was the eternal optimist and always believed the best about people."

Almquist was predeceased by his wife Peggy who practiced law in Pasadena. He is survived by his three sons, three daughter in-laws, his sister Cay, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. 

Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. at , 626 Foothill Blvd., La Canada.