Obituary of Carl Gustave Jaeger

Carl Jaeger, a beloved figure known for his passion for sports, dedication to his career, and unwavering love for his family, passed away on June 29, 2024, in Redding, Connecticut. Born on April 12, 1940, in Chappaqua, New York, Carl was the son of Gustave and Nancy Jaeger and brother of Richard Jaeger. He spent his formative years excelling both academically and athletically at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, where he distinguished himself as the quarterback of the football team. His love for sports continued at Dartmouth College, where he played varsity baseball and was an active member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Throughout his life, Carl maintained close ties with his fraternity brothers and their families, bonding over shared memories and camaraderie. In 1966, Carl met Helen Calhoun on a memorable blind date. They attended a Dartmouth football game together, and because Dartmouth was playing for the Ivy League title that day against Penn, he also had an ear to a transistor radio listening to the Yale-Harvard game. By some miracle, Helen was charmed by his sports obsession, and they were married in 1968, celebrating their 55th anniversary last year, having raised their family in McLean, Virginia and Darien, Connecticut. Professionally, Carl enjoyed a successful career at Time Inc., starting in the marketing department and eventually rising to the position of President of Time Life Books. Later, he became the publisher of Discover Magazine, contributing to the field of popular science journalism. In his later years, Carl pursued his interest in investing, earning his financial planner certification and providing invaluable counsel to his clients. Beyond his career achievements, Carl was an avid sports enthusiast. He was a familiar face at Dartmouth football games, where his spirited cheers echoed through the stadium. Golf was another passion that brought him joy; he could often be found on weekend mornings at the Country Club of Darien, honing his game and relishing the companionship of fellow golfers. Carl's exuberant personality and infectious laughter endeared him to all who knew him. He had a knack for making people smile with his quick wit and was renowned for inventing playful nicknames for his friends and family. His booming voice and lively presence made him the life of any gathering, earning him a wide circle of friends and admirers – notably for a number of years from his corner seat at the Darien Starbucks on the Post Road. Carl is survived by his devoted wife, Helen Jaeger, of Meadow Ridge in Redding, Connecticut, his loving sons Michael Jaeger (Linnea Pyne) and Doug Jaeger (Betsy), and his cherished grandchildren Kit and Sarah Pyne-Jaeger. He will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Ataxia Foundation (www.ataxia.org). A celebration of Carl Jaeger's life will be held on October 12, 2024, at 2pm at the Country Club of Darien, allowing family and friends to come together and honor his memory.