Roll Call Tribute

Karl Josef Springer 

April 14, 1935 - February 23, 2025 

A caring husband, father, and uncle, native San Antonian Karl J. Springer passed away peacefully at home on February 23, 2025. Born in 1935 at Nix Hospital on the banks of the San Antonio River, he was the youngest of eight brothers and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1953. In 1957, he received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and was a distinguished Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps graduate. But the major highlight of 1957 was his marriage to Ann Andrews in Fort Worth. After a year at San Antonio’s Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) as a Project Engineer, Karl reported for active duty as a Second Lieutenant assigned to Wright Patterson Air Force Base’s Propulsion Lab in Dayton, Ohio. In 1962, he accepted an engineering position with DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, transferred to Air Force Reserve Duty, and was later promoted to Captain in the Air Force. In 1970, he resigned from the Air Force Reserve.

A new opportunity at SwRI lured him back to his beloved hometown of San Antonio in 1963 which led to a remarkable career in air pollution research. Karl established a Vehicle Emissions Research Lab, leading to many projects for the EPA. His research focused on measuring and controlling pollutants from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. Karl’s pioneering efforts for the EPA led to significant air pollution reductions. While at SwRI, Karl earned a master’s degree in physics from Trinity University in 1966 and taught classes in engineering at San Antonio College.

Karl authored and presented over 35 peer-reviewed papers and publications to share his knowledge of pollution and energy topics. As a fellow member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and former chairman of the ASME’s Internal Combustion Engine Division, he became an honorary member in 2003. Karl was also a member of many professional associations including the Society of Automotive Engineers, Texas A&M’s Academy of Distinguished Mechanical Engineer graduates, the National Academy of Engineering, the Engineering Honor Society Tau Beta Pi, and the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science & Technology. Karl received many awards, medals, and honors throughout his career.

He retired from SwRI in 1998 after 36 years of leading the Automotive Products and Emissions Research Division, known as Division 8. July 28 was deemed Karl Springer Day, and many of his 587 employees celebrated as Karl happily called his tenure, “One heck of a ride.” After retiring, he participated in National Research Council studies and wrote several automotive research histories. Karl made presentations at UTSA’s Mechanical Engineering Department and other schools. A lifelong learner and educator, he taught and attended many courses at the Academy of Learning in Retirement.

Travel was his greatest passion. Karl and Ann visited over 200 countries on five continents, often including the family. He wrote numerous travel articles about their adventures, and some were published by International Travel News. Karl is survived by his wife Ann of 67 years; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Michael Stensgaard of Fernandina Beach, Florida; and two sons: Erik Springer of San Antonio, and Kurt Springer of Lytle, Texas. Numerous nieces and nephews are spread throughout the USA, including Marianne Miller and Paul Springer, Jr. in San Antonio.

A gravesite memorial and internment of ashes ceremony will be held at 1 pm on April 14, 2025, which would have been his 90th birthday. He will join his parents in the Springer family plot at Mission Burial Park South in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to your favorite charity.