Carl Amrhein Obituary

Carl (Rick) John Amrhein passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2023 following a short illness. He was 92 years old, and his final days were spent in the company of his loving family and friends in Westminster. Carl was born to Karl and Mary Amrhein on January 10, 1931, in Baltimore. He attended St. Edward Catholic School and Mt. St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, as well as Maryland colleges. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a translator in Germany during this period. Carl was the owner and manager of Amrhein Brothers Pie Company (a family business) in Baltimore until the bakery was sold. He also worked as a Professional Relations Representative for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland until his retirement in 1994. Carl accomplished much in his professional life, but his greatest legacy is his family. He was a selfless and completely devoted husband to his beloved wife of 72 years, Rosemarie (Sprankle) Amrhein. Even though he was raised as an only child, he became an involved and devoted father to his eight children, and later continued to share this same love with his 17 grandchildren and (soon to be) 12 great-grandchildren. His wonderful imagination and love of adventure, travel, and the ocean manifested themselves in special stories and family trips for both his immediate family and his children's families. He was always involved and very selfless in his desire to bring happiness and fun to any family gathering, and he was well known for his hospitality. He was an avid crabber and fisherman, and he passed this interest and a "love of the sea" along to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also was a devoted fan of the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens and the old Baltimore Colts. Carl was a model of faith and integrity throughout his life, and he imparted his strong faith to his family through his example. He was very involved in the Catholic Church and attended daily Mass throughout his life. He served as an Altar Server, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a Parish Council Representative (along with other forms of service), in the Archdiocese of Baltimore parishes of St. Edward, St. William of York and St. John, Westminster. He was also a member of The Holy Name Society and The Knights of Columbus. Carl was kind to everyone, and "never knew a stranger". He served as an inspiration and example for many who met him throughout his life. He will be remembered fondly for his strong faith, his humor, his gentleness, his strength and his deep love of his family. He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie Sprankle Amrhein, his children and their spouses, Mary Amrhein Renehan/Raymond Renehan, Joanne Amrhein Fusco, Kathryn Amrhein Lawson/Douglas Lawson, Susan Amrhein Runyon/Martin Runyon, Robert Joseph Amrhein/Patricia Macci Amrhein, John Gerard Amrhein/Jennifer Smith Amrhein, Richard Carl Amrhein/Shari Spotts Amrhein, Rosemarie Amrhein Vollaro/Richard Vollaro, and 17 grandchildren and (soon to be) 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his cousin Richard Berndt, his sisters-in-law Elizabeth Diggs and Eleanor Sprankle, his brother-in-law James Diggs, and 14 nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, from 4 to 8pm at Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster (please use Chapel Entrance). A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, September 21 at 11am at St. John Catholic Church, 43 Monroe Street, Westminster. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery, East Green St., Westminster. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carl's name may be made to Abby's Carts of Courage (for pediatric cancer) at www.respiteretreats.org/ACOC or the Pregnancy Center of Carroll County at www.carrollpregnancy.org Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.prittsfuneralhome.com