Remembering Carl Wasinger


Carl Frederick Wasinger, building services technician, facilities, died March 24, at his home of natural causes. He was 59.

Wasinger, son of Gordon and Marian (Jorgensen) Wasinger, was born Aug. 8, 1949, in Menomonie, Wis. He grew up in Iowa, and graduated in 1968 from University High School in iowa City. He first visited the University of North Dakota campus whn his father interviewed for a job at UND with President George Starcher, and then moved to Grand Forks with his family in 1970 after his father took the position at UND as dean of continuing education.

Wasinger worked at UND for Plant Services starting in the State Street shop Sept. 1, 1971. During his career, he worked for facilities in various capacities. During the coldest months, when the ground was snow-covered, he worked in building maintenance, primarily at the old Engelstad Arena and in later years at Hyslop Sports Center. When there was no snow on the ground, Wasinger was instrumental in helping to keep the UND campus free from litter and looking beautiful. UND has a reputation for having the most beautiful campus in the entire region and Wasinger played a large part in that effort. He was very proud of his family, of UND, and of the work he did on campus. He was also proud of the way the UND campus has grown and flourished in the years he worked there. He would often recite the number of buildings and the amount of square feet of space that had been added to the campus over the years.

He is survived by his mother; a sister, Kaaren Pupino; a brother-in-law, Deacon Sam Pupino; a newphew, Samuel Pupino III; and a niece, Molly Pupino; and two aunts.

He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial will be set up through the UND Foundation in Wasinger's name. This memorial will go to the College of Education and Human Development for the research and work of GRAAIN (Global Rural Autism Asperger Information Network). Donations may be made in wasinger's name to the UND Foundation at 3100 University Ave Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157.

Services were held March 30 with burial in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks.