Carl William Pilcher

Carl Pilcher, 90, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on July 9, 2026.

Born June 4, 1936, in Junction City, Kansas, Carl was the son of Harry H. Pilcher and Gunda (Stensaas) Pilcher. He was preceded in death by his parents, a half‑brother, step‑mother, younger brother, and his wife, Virginia. He is survived by three sons - Alan (Dawn), Michael (HyeSuk), and Kenneth (Maria); four granddaughters—Erin Lewis (Sean), Leah Pilcher, Anna Richter (Andrew), and Charity Pilcher; and four great‑grandchildren.

Carl graduated from Abilene High School in 1955 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy the following year, serving as an Aviation Electronics Technician and later as an Electronic Countermeasures Instructor.

He married Virginia Bergstrom on June 5, 1960. The couple lived in Texas while Carl worked for Braniff Airways before settling in Wichita, where he spent 15 years with IBM. In 1972, they moved to Valley Center. Carl later joined Boeing as a computer technician and analyst, retiring after 21 years.

In 1992, Carl discovered a passion for woodcarving and sculpture, earning numerous awards and teaching the craft for 12 years at CityArts, West Shepherd Center, and private locations.

Carl and Virginia enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad. In 2025, they moved to Cedarhurst Senior Living Center, where Virginia passed away later that year.

Graveside services will be held at Valley Center Cemetery at 9:00 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2026. A Celebration of Life will follow at First United Methodist Church of Valley Center at 10:00 AM, July 18, 2026. Friends may pay respects the evening prior, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Friday, July 17, 2026, at Petersen Funeral Home, Newton, Kansas.