“You will always be a role model for us and we will always look back on you with joy. Thank you, dear grandpa,” says the final sentence of the eulogy of his large relatives.
Karl Duft was born on June 18, 1936 at the “Müllner in Au”. He went to school in Kirchheim and from the age of 14 worked on the farm at the “Müllner” and later as a servant at the Saxenbucher in Gurten. At the age of 19 he then moved to Höhnhart. With the acquisition of the truck driver’s license, he turned his great passion into a profession. He often talked about his journeys through Austria and that he didn’t need a GPS, he knew all the paths and roads by heart. After he started working as a driver for the Romberger company in Gurten, he got to know and love the “Liasn Maridl”. Together they managed the Hanisengut in Au. There the sons Karl (1961) and Bert (1963) were born. Son Sepp and daughter Martina completed the family. In 1992 the farm was handed over to son Josef and his wife Cordula. Karl Fragrance actually wanted to take things a little easier. But then came 1998, probably the most difficult year of his life. Son Sepp died at the age of only 34 after years of cancer, only eight weeks later “Charly” died in a traffic accident. As long as he was able, Karl Duft helped with the work on the farm and in the fields.
Despite all the work, he dedicated a large part of his free time to the fire brigade and was commander of the FF Kirchheim for a quarter of a century. His fish pond and the associated hut were a fixed meeting place for the entire neighborhood. He also enjoyed being out and about in his vintage car. The “Liasn Karl” was well known. His funny and sociable nature and openness to others were his trademarks. His great commitment to the fire brigade and beyond was recognized with a number of badges of honor and medals of merit. He was a regular at the aviators and also a reliable visitor at many regulars’ tables. His greatest pride were his 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Source: Nachrichten
