Carl Nils Adrian

Aug 19, 1938 -

Feb 6, 2026

Carl Nils Adrian was born on Aug. 19, 1938, in Manhattan, N.Y., to Alfred Adrian and Joyce Lilian Adrian (nee Berg). He passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2026, in Sun City, Ariz., his winter home.

Carl spent his early school years in Bronx, N.Y., Panama and in the Philippines at Clark Air Force Base. It was at Clark Air Force Base that Carl met Bonnie Glenda Burton, whom he wed on July 13, 1958. This year would have been their 68th wedding anniversary!

At 17, Carl joined the Air Force, which took him and Bonnie to numerous locations, the first being remote in Korea then Florida, Mississippi, Arizona, Alaska, California, Alabama, and Nebraska. He spent half of his military career in Alaska repairing computers and electronics. Carl retired from the Air Force after 20 years of dedicated service to his country.

Carl had a diverse working career. He worked for the Department of Interior, the National Weather Service and at Glen Canyon Dam, after which he retired. He also installed computer systems for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

It was during his retirement years that Carl established himself as a skilled builder and real estate agent in Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska, areas. He taught his children how to build. His daughter Dorothy lovingly remembers her father taking the time to patiently teach her to tie her shoes. Carl had an interest in planes and received his private pilot's license at Birchwood Airport in 1972.

Carl loved his dogs! In 2007, when Carl was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he acquired the first of several beloved Yorkshire terriers. They could often be seen in his shopping cart at Spenard Builders and with him at Midas Muffler. Truly his companions.

Carl had a warm heart. He was generous with his time for activities, such as painting decking, mowing the lawn, helping with the annual Easter food deliveries at Skyline Church in Eagle River, where he and Bonnie attended for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Joyce; older brother, Jon; and sister, Anne.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Eagle River; daughter, Dorothy (David) of Virginia; son, Fred (LeAnn) of California; son, Alan (Joy) of Alaska; and brother, Alfred of the Philippines. He leaves numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Services for Carl will be held at Ft. Richardson Cemetery on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., at Skyline Church, 18239 N. Eagle River Loop in Eagle River. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to the American Cancer Society.