Karl Friedrich “Charley” Koenig
- At September 28, 2020
- By Heather
- In Writing
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Yesterday we lost our beloved 96-year-old Africa Corps veteran Karl Friedrich “Charley” König, who was so instrumental in helping us forge our core mission: to promote understanding between former enemies, peace, and healing. He showed us the path through his reconciliation and epic friendship with the Sherwood Rangers Tank Regiment, against whom he had fought in the desert in 1943.
Charley was full of life until the end, a wild spirit with a sense of gentle fun. He was unfailingly kind, generous, adventurous, smart, funny, and the best company on a road trip you could ever have. He slept anywhere, including on benches; ate anything, including crocodile and rattlesnake; made friends wherever he went; was up for any dare; cracked jokes even in the worst of times; danced to Glen Miller’s In the Mood as well as hip hop.
We could always count on him, no matter how hard or how far the road, how rocky the terrain.
We have lost a loyal and true friend. He was one of the best among us, a warrior who never backed down, yet the owner of a compassionate and forgiving heart. Carrying on the work without him will be magnitudes more difficult, almost unimaginable.
I am inconsolable.
Heather
