Carl William Kirnbauer, 90, passed away on March 31, 2026 in Whittier, CA.

He was born on March 12, 1936 in Chicago, IL, to the late Karl Kirnbauer and Hermine Karner Kinbauer who emigrated from Bernstein, Austria. He was predeceased by a brother, James Rivers, and sisters Elaine Rose Kirnbauer Bruce and Joan Louise Kirnbauer (who died at age 3). His former wife, Sondra Rosen, passed away in January 2026. Their only child, James Rolfe Kirnbauer, passed away in 1995 at age 28.

When Carl was 5 years old, and Elaine was 13, their mother died suddenly. Four years later, their father remarried bringing a step-brother, Jim, into the family and the two brothers shared many adventures in their youth. Carl served honorably in the US Army and Illinois National Guard and graduated from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. His law practice in Torrance, CA specialized in real estate and contracts and he taught law courses at Los Angeles Harbor College into his eighties. An avid sailor, he lived on his boat, Defiance, at the Alamitos Bay Marina in Long Beach, CA for several decades, and was past president of the Long Beach Marina Boat Owners Association. Carl found inner peace through fellowship with friends studying, “A Course in Miracles.” He believed, “We are asked to consider being here only to be truly helpful.”

He is survived by nephews David Bruce and Francis Rivers Meza, nieces Susie Bruce, Leslie Burdon and Jody Burdon, and several cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A service with military honors will be held at Los Angeles National Cemetery on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11 am.