Karl immigrated to the U.S. on 31 October 1927. Karl worked for many years as a foreign representative to Sherwin Williams Co., a paint manufacturer, in Panama, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. He was also a sales manager for Schenly Liquor International. He eventually made himself an independent salesman, handling construction materials, paints, electrical and plumbing supplies in Central America, Venezuela, and Columbia. In 1954 he opened a paint store as agent for John Lucas Paint Co., along with his brother-in-law, John Patterson. In 1959, Karl and Effie went to Panama to help a friend while they went to Europe, and they stayed there until 1964. Karl enjoyed golf and fishing, and he was an avid sports fan. He also invested in the stock market.²