Karl F. Vornberger, 96

HOLDERNESS — Karl F. Vornberger, 96, of Holderness, died peacefully June 17, 2026, at his home after a period of failing health.

Born in Bad Homburg, Germany, on Sept. 20, 1929, the son of Fritjof and Lina (Hofmann) Vornberger, Karl grew up in Germany, and attended German schools. He graduated from the Polytechnicum Friedberg, Germany, in 1952 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.

In 1956, he came to the United States to learn some English and to further his engineering experience. Karl worked 30 years as an engineer for International Shoe Machine Corporation in Boston, Massachusetts, and later Nashua, designing machinery to make shoes. He loved his work and was awarded many patents relating to shoe making.

Karl married his sweetheart Margarete Reinelt in 1956, and together they raised four daughters. Karl was an avid reader, especially enjoying the history of the Roman Empire, the ancient Greeks, the European Renaissance, and the American Civil War. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and could be seen with wife and children on the ski slopes during winter, and hiking, paddling and biking in other seasons. The family of six completed hiking the 4,000-footers of New Hampshire, in 1972.

After his retirement, Karl thru-hiked the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail in 1992, and thru-hiked the 263-mile Long Trail in 1995. For years, he was an active volunteer in the Waterville Valley Adaptive Skiing program. Karl and Margarete were both fans of World Cup and Premier League soccer as well as Formula One auto racing, and they enjoyed traveling extensively in North America and Europe.

Karl was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Margarete; daughter Christine Arata; grandson Erik Woss; brother Walter Vornberger; and sister-in-law Sonja Vornberger.

He is survived by daughters Virginia Robertson (and husband Steven Reoch) of Florida, Patricia Vornberger of New Hampshire, and Jennifer Clancy (and husband Tom Clancy) of Massachusetts; son-in-law Robert Arata; and grandson Stephen Arata of New Hampshire.

Per Karl's request there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be at the family plot at Trinity Churchyard Cemetery in Holderness, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, July 1, followed by a private celebration of life in Plymouth.

For those who wish to make a memorial donation, Karl was particularly supportive of these organizations: Trinity Churchyard Cemetery (donations to maintain the lovely historic grounds and structures can be sent to Churchyard Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 329, Holderness, NH 03245); or St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota (stjo.org).

Burial services and arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, visit mayhewfuneralhomes.com.