Karl Richard Schmutz, 68, passed away on Saturday March 22, 2025, after struggling with health issues.
He was born on July 31, 1956, in Taumarunui, New Zealand the oldest of four boys of Fritz Schmutz and Nellie Grace (Bird) Schmutz.
His parents met in New Zealand when his father, a Swiss engineer, was sent to build the country's first ski lift on Mt. Ruapehu. They then moved to Switzerland until Karl was eleven years old when they relocated to Boulder, Colorado in 1967.
After graduating from Boulder High School Karl went to Switzerland and completed an apprenticeship in heavy steel construction at Stadeli Lift Company, AG., following in his father's footsteps.
Karl met his wife Judy Marion (Trapp) Schmutz in Geometry class at Boulder High School. They were married on January 29, 1977, in Boulder. They were married 48 years.
Karl joined the US Air Force in September 1976 and was stationed in Mt. Home, Idaho, where he remained during his enlistment.
The family then moved back to Colorado where Karl worked in the welding industry. Over the years they lived in Oklahoma, where Karl worked in the oil fields, and New Hampshire and Arizona where he worked in the ski resort industry as a ski lift maintenance manager.
In 1995 Karl opened his own welding fabrication shop, Crossbow Enterprises, Inc., in Prescott Valley, AZ.
Karl and Judy had two sons, Christian and Loren, and three grandsons, Kristofer, Peyton, and Christian Jr.
Karl was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed skiing, hiking, photography, playing the Swiss accordion and listening to music of all genres, and especially riding his motorcycle.
Life was never dull living with Karl. He frequently discovered new places to visit, investigate, or relocate for different experiences. He was very gregarious and enjoyed meeting new people wherever he went. Karl was a very principled man, a man of integrity and was generous to a fault. He was one in a million!
Karl was preceded in death by his son, Christian Keenan Schmutz, and his parents Fritz and Nellie Schmutz. He is survived by his wife, Judy (Trapp) Schmutz, his son Loren Schmutz of Eagar, AZ, his grandson Christian Schmutz, Jr. of Eagar AZ, as well as his 2 other grandchildren and his brothers Michel (Heidi) Schmutz of Longmont, CO, Peter Schmutz of Longmont CO, and Roger Schmutz of Longmont, CO.
A celebration of life will be held on 4/25 at "Junk & Java" Springer, AZ from 1pm to 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, take the person you love the most to lunch and tell them you love them.