Karl E. Stein

The surviving family of Mr. Karl Ellis Stein sadly announce his passing on April 6th, 2026, in Vero Beach Florida after a long fight following a series of strokes.  Karl was born March 8th, 1942, in Attleboro, Massachusetts to Ethelyn Adele Sather of Minnesota and John Leonard Stein of Pennsylvania.

As a young boy, Karl lived in Seekonk MA and Rehoboth MA and attended Saint Dunstan’s Day school in Providence, RI before attending Saint George’s School in Middletown, RI.  While at St. George’s School, Karl excelled at football – he won three football letters – and was captain of the baseball team.  Karl attended Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts to play football and hone his intended vocation as a teacher of History.

Late in his college career he met Marianne Hubert during her visit to the United States from Belgium.  Karl quickly proposed and the couple married in Belgium in late 1965.  Their only son, John Kristopher, arrived in April 1966 while the newlyweds were starting their careers at Berkshire School (1965-1977) in Sheffield, MA.  At Berkshire, Karl taught European and American history, served as Director of Admissions and coached varsity football, basketball and baseball. Karl and Marianne were dormitory masters in Allen House, Buck, and Godman.  While teaching at Berkshire, Karl earned a M.A.L.S. from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT (1973).   His thesis, entitled, “American Imperialism at the Turn of the Century”, ran contrary to the opinion of a CIA Analyst conducting a late 1970s recruitment interview of Karl set up by Karl’s older brother, shutting down any possible career change.  

After 12 years at Berkshire (and its winter weather) the family moved to Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach, Florida where Karl completed a full career of 45 years of teaching, coaching, and administrative positions.  He retired from teaching in 2011.

In the mid-1980s Karl married Anne Whitney Faulkner, an Art teacher also at St. Edwards.  The new couple spent many years together and it was during this time Karl rekindled his love of motorcycles.  He became an avid rider.  Karl and Anne divorced after twenty years of marriage.

Karl remained in Vero after retiring. He found love and companionship with another educator, Caryl Culp, and the two spent many, many loving years together caring for each other.  

Always addressed as “Mr. Stein”, although some students referred to him as “Iceman” – a nickname he did little to dissuade the pupils from using – he was regarded as a “great teacher” or as some students have commented, “the best teacher I ever had.”  He enjoyed intellectual banter and witty repartee on a wide variety of topics but especially History, older movies, Jazz, and Rock n Roll. Former students are invited to take out a piece of lined paper, put their name and date in the upper right hand corner, and discuss the meaning of a life well lived being sure to provide specific examples from both the American and European experience (as best you may recall) for his last pop quiz. 

Survivors include Marianne Hubert Truyens of Waterloo, Belgium; Anne Whitney of Myrtle Beach, SC; Caryl Culp of Raleigh, SC; Karl’s sister-in-law Marilyn McCarthy Stein of Barrington, RI; and his son, John Kristopher Stein, Christine Stein, Talise and Jace of Annandale, VA.

Karl was predeceased by his older brother, John Henry Stein.  

Memorial contributions should include being constantly curious about history and the human condition and sharing a good book or anecdote.  Memorial services will be determined at a later date.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.