Lt. Col. Karl M. Ahrens

[ironputts]

May 5, 2025

Lt. Col. Karl M. Ahrens
Treasure Coast Composite Squadron
Florida Wing

Karl Martin Ahrens, 83, passed away April 1, 2025, at VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach, FL. He was born in Queens, NY and moved through Sparta, NJ and Gold Hill, NC to Vero Beach, FL

As a young man, he was a VP and member of the Bd. Of Dir. of the Sommelier Society in NY and became the Owner/Partner and President of Rock Oak Lodge in Sparta, NJ, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club in Sussex County. He was a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge, and a Lt. Colonel with Civil Air Patrol, as well as a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument with several flight schools over the years. Also, a builder/contractor, he custom-built a geodesic home where he and his wife resided in Gold Hill Airpark in NC. He rounded out his numerous interests/ventures as an owner/operator cross-country expediter for the White Glove Division of FEDEX Corp before retiring to Florida. He was a member of several flight organizations, including the QBs.

Mr. Ahrens is survived by his wife, Diane (Rhinesmith) Ahrens and son, Edward & daughter-in-law, Susan Eltringham, several nieces and nephews and their families, cousins Susan Hogan and Ellen Hall (husband: Shaun), brothers-in-law Thomas Longo and John Rhinesmith (wife: Marilyn), step-granddaughters, Brittani and Renee Bernstein, and former sister-in-law Kathy Wells.

He was predeceased by his parents, Karl and Ethel (Merrifield) Ahrens, his brother Gary, his nephew/Godson Gregory Ahrens, 3 step-daughters Dawn, Deborah and Danielle Eltringham, sister-in-law Jean Longo, aunt/Godmother Lillian Hynes, uncle Ed Merrifield and their spouses, cousins Patrick and Mickey Hynes, Guy and Tracy Merrifield and brother-in-law Paul Hogan.

An avid golfer, a man of few words, he will be sadly missed by all who knew, admired and loved him.

In their grief, the family expresses gratitude to the entire staff at Cleveland Clinic for their efforts and care the many times they encountered Mr. Ahrens, and to the staff of VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach for their gracious care as they attended him through his journey from this life. God bless you all.