Carl Henning

Carl Henning, 84, of Bridgton, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Born on Aug. 1, 1932, in Kingston, Pa., Carl was the youngest of six children born to Stanley and Julia Henning. He grew up in Trucksville and graduated from Kingston Township High School in 1950. Just a few days before graduation, he joined four friends to skip school and take a road trip to the Indianapolis 500, an adventure that he savored for years afterwards.

After studying engineering at Wilkes College, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and was posted on the icebreaker Eastwind. In 1956, he returned from the Arctic Circle to marry his high school sweetheart, Doris “Dodie,” to whom he remained married for nearly 61 years. Carl and Dodie raised two sons, Bruce and Gary, born in 1960 and 1963, respectively. Throughout his life, Carl was devoted to Dodie and their family.

Carl was mechanically savvy and a great problem-solver. His work focused on research and development of diesel fuel injection equipment. He enjoyed the hands-on nature of this work, as well as the continuing education and travel that it required. During Carl’s working years, he held positions in South Windsor, Conn., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Springfield, Mass. As retirees, Carl and Dodie moved to Bridgton in 2000 to be closer to their three grandsons.

In addition to being a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Carl was a vibrant part of the community. For more than 50 years, he was as an active member in the Masonic Lodge and the Congregational Church. Carl and Dodie camped every year of their marriage, visiting every U.S. state and Canadian province. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, softball, woodworking, and gardening. A highlight of every November was the trip with his hunting buddies to the camp in Vermont. He planted a small vegetable garden the day before he died.

Carl was predeceased by his parents, Stanley R. and Julia (Decker) Henning; and four siblings, Christie, Stanley, Lois, and Norma. He is survived by: his sister, Doris Reeves; his wife, Doris (Bush) Henning; his sons: Bruce Allan Henning and Gary Todd Henning; his daughters-in-law, Miranda (Hope) Henning and Rhonda (Perry) Henning; his grandsons, Peter Carl Henning, Charles Hope Henning and Garrett Lee Henning; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held for Carl on Saturday, June 17, at 2 p.m., at the First Congregational Church in Bridgton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to this church.