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

Effie attended Robert Trent Junior High School, and she also took comptroller courses in business school. During her working life, Effie was the head of the billing department for Sherwin Williams Paint Co. She and Karl spent 25 years traveling and living in Central and South America and also traveling in Europe, Canada and the U.S. She enjoyed knitting, reading, sports, dancing, sewing and traveling. Effie and Karl lived in Lake Worth, Florida after returning from South America.²