Karl William Weckman of Palm Harbor, Fla. and Chilmark died peacefully with his children by his side on Oct. 9 in Palm Harbor. He was 96.

Karl was born in Manhattan, N.Y. on Sept. 29, 1928, the first born child of Lieselotte and Frederick Weckman. The family later moved to Larchmont, N.Y. where he spent his childhood years.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and served two years as a radio operator in Korea during peacetime. He then attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio where he graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

Karl married Virginia Ann Moore on Dec. 30, 1961 in White Plains, N.Y. and they relocated to Pekin, Ill. where their children Liz and Fred were both born.

He began his career with Standard Brands as a Food Chemist and later went into a manufacturing management program, which paved the way for his management career in the food industry, taking him to a multitude of different cities, including Chappaqua, N.Y., Johnstown, N.Y., Naperville, Ill., Libertyville, Ill., Hillsdale, N.J. and East Sandwich — all while maintaining his connection to Martha’s Vineyard, where his roots stayed firmly grounded.

He retired in 1991, after a fulfilling 15-year career with Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. where he was the director of manufacturing and the citrus division manager. His many work place philosophies and sayings, which reflected his strong work ethic, became known as Weckmanisms.

He began a lifelong connection to Martha’s Vineyard as a young child where his family had a summer home in Chilmark. He embraced and loved Martha’s Vineyard throughout his entire life, rarely missing a year regardless of where he was living at the time. In retirement he split his time with six months of the year in Chilmark and six months in Florida.

His love of the outdoors began early, including while a camper at Camp Agawam in Maine. He later became an avid hunter and fisherman from both boat and shore and built an extensive collection of MV Derby pins. He took great joy in knowing that his children and their families were carrying on his Island traditions.

Karl was predeceased by his wife Virginia Moore Weckman and his brother, Rolf Gerhard Weckman.

He is survived by his sister Ruth Alma Weckman of Larchmont, N.Y., his daughter Elizabeth Walker, his son Frederick Weckman and his wife Donna, his five grandchildren; Emily Walker, Sara Walker, Abigail Walker, Derrick Weckman and his wife Madison and Avery Weckman. In addition, he was survived by several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will take place at a later date at Abel’s Hill Cemetery, Chilmark.