The Life of Carl Frederick Rumpp, Jr.

Carl Frederick Rumpp, Jr. of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, surrounded by his wife and three sons, transitioned peacefully from this life on February 2, 2024 at the age of 92 years. He is survived by the love of his life, Patricia Barrett Rumpp, his three sons Carl Frederick Rumpp III, Stephen Scott Rumpp and Gary Hunter Rumpp, along with eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their offspring. He leaves behind a rich legacy as the loving patriarch of his historic Philadelphia family.

A fourth generation Philadelphia native, Carl descended from a twenty-year-old German immigrant, Charles Rumpp, who, in search of a new life, came to Philadelphia in 1848. Charles founded the Philadelphia manufacturing concern C.F. Rumpp & Sons, Fine Leather Goods, which would thrive for more than a century. The company’s last office, warehouse and manufacturing site was located at 5th and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia.

 Carl served as President of C.F. Rumpp & Sons, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Upon reaching the company’s 100th anniversary in 1950, while achieving worldwide acclaim, company employees honored the Rumpp leadership with a stunning gift. A silver, hinged book containing several pages of the engraved signatures of those employees who had been with the company for at least 25 years.

 As a young man, Carl attended Penn Charter, followed by receiving an Undergraduate Degree in Political Science from Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. Returning to Philadelphia following his U.S. Army service in Honolulu, Carl began family life, raising his three sons. Carl served as Commodore of the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City where his passion for sailing and making new friends gained full expression.

Carl was a leader by example. In his many athletic field successes (soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball), and on the fields of human engagement, Carl made a memorable impression on everyone with whom he interacted. People always remembered meeting Carl. Excelling in sales, his was defined by a rare, signature ability to see the world through the eyes of others. He loved his work because it meant meeting and interacting with people, both new and familiar, and helping resolve their challenges, often before even they themselves clearly understood them.

Carl’s personality was marked by his trademark sense of humor, his propensity for celebrating happy gatherings, prioritizing friendships, honoring his family heritage, and through a gentle and kind generosity with his time, resources and human understanding. One of Carl’s greatest gifts, as seen by those who understood him, was his support and encouragement for the dreams of those he loved, even if they reflected views other than his own. His innate respect for others was returned to him quietly, earnestly and many times over, throughout his lifetime.

Carl and his wife Patty truly believed they were destined to meet and their marriage of thirty-seven years was a match made in heaven. Their life together was founded in love, respect, joy, fun, trust and caring. Friends looked upon their love story with admiration, happiness and appreciation.

May Carl rest in peace alongside his ancestors and pre-deceased parents, brother Jim, sister Margaret, close friends and all those now gone, whose lives were touched by this beautiful man.

 Services and reception to be held Friday, May 31, 2024 11am at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia. Donations welcomed in Carl’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Maui Strong Fund  Online Remembrances

See full obituary in Philadelphia Inquirer