Obituary: Carl Lee Rosier

Carl Lee Rosier, 89, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026, surrounded by his family in Portland, Oregon. He often remarked that he never expected to live as long as he did, but we were so fortunate that he did. He bravely fought cancer twice, survived heart surgery, and faced Parkinson’s disease in his later years. Carl endured the heartbreak of losing two wives, one to cancer and the other to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite these hardships, he remained a fighter and a survivor, his smile ever present.

Born to Ernest and Eva (Stagner) Rosier on Sept. 23, 1936, in Corvallis, Oregon, Carl grew up in Tigard and attended Beaverton High School. As a boy, he was ambitious and hardworking, taking on jobs in landscaping, gardening, race dog care, and assisting his father with carpentry and building houses. His close-knit family spent time fishing, hunting, and visiting the Oregon coast, experiences that shaped him into the man he would become.

Carl attended Oregon State College (now Oregon State University), graduating in 1959 with a degree in Wildlife Management. During his college years, he met Kathleen (Kay) Gunther, the only woman in his program. Kay would become his loving companion for 27 years and the mother of their four children.

He served proudly in the U.S. Army and later in the Reserves.

During his summers in college, Carl worked in southeast Alaska for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, participating in research and management projects. In 1960, he moved with Kay and their first child, Jeannette, to Wrangell, Alaska, where he worked as a biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. With Alaska’s new statehood, Carl helped implement commercial fisheries management on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island, where he assisted with habitat management related to logging throughout the Ketchikan area. He also managed fin and shellfish programs in Wrangell, and worked in watershed management involving logging and highway construction.

After their son Mark was born, the family moved to Ketchikan, where Deidre and Caro Jane were born. Carl served as Ketchikan Area Management Biologist for the Commercial Fish Division of ADF&G. 

The family later relocated to Juneau in 1970, where Carl continued his service at Fish and Game as the Regional Supervisor for Southeast Alaska and later as Director of the Commercial Fish Division until 1980. Among his notable accomplishments was the creation of the Foreign High Seas Observer Program, which placed observers aboard foreign vessels within the U.S. 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. He was responsible for all commercial fisheries research and management programs.

Carl then took a ten-year break from state service to work as chief of Industry Services and Trade for the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, U.S. Department of Commerce.

In 1991, he returned to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game when Governor Walter Hickel appointed him Commissioner. This was Carl’s final professional chapter before retiring in 1994. He took great pride and honor in dedicating his career to the management and sustainability of Alaska’s fish and game resources.

Throughout his life, Carl volunteered his time to organizations focused on sportsmen, wildlife preservation, and sustainability. He was active statewide and locally, volunteering for Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC), Alaska Outdoor Council, Territorial Sportsmen, the City and Borough of Juneau Fisheries Development Committee, and serving as Commodore of the Juneau Yacht Club. 

Carl was an avid boater, hunter, and fisherman who deeply loved the outdoors. His freezer was always stocked with wild game and fish, a testament to both his skill and his passion. Annual hunting trips and fishing trips with friends and family created many cherished memories. From sheep, deer, moose and bird hunting, Carl was happiest when he was out in the wild.

He also loved cruising Alaska’s waters in his boats, which grew larger and more impressive over the years. His dream vessel, the M/V Cape Falcon, became the perfect way for him to enjoy extended cruises, fishing adventures, and Fourth of July fireworks in Gastineau Channel.

After retiring, Carl moved to Bend, Oregon, where he revisited the fishing spots of his childhood. He enjoyed attending rodeos, always treating himself to a new pair of boots and a belt for each event. Retirement gave him the chance to reconnect with family and to build new friendships, something he valued deeply.

Carl also traveled widely, exploring the United States, Australia, Europe, and Africa. One of his greatest joys was sharing the photos and videos from his “onceinalifetime” safari in Africa — a trip that left a lasting impression on him and everyone he shared it with.

Carl loved good food, naps, conversation, politics, and spending time with family and friends. He was a perfectionist, known for having the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood. Friendly, caring, and generous, Carl truly loved life. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, laughter, storytelling, and teasing. He had a soft spot for babies and dogs and was always accompanied by a canine companion in his truck. Carl lived a full life and did so on his own terms.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Eva Rosier, sister Wilma Rosier, brother Merle Rosier, wife Kathleen Janet Rosier (Gunther), wife Gladys J Rosier (Pagano), and grandson Jeremy Bethel. He is survived by his children: Jeannette Rosier of Ketchikan (Mitch Bethel), Mark Rosier (Megumi) of Eugene, Oregon, Deidre Conway (Timothy) of Portland, Oregon, and Caro Rosier-Polley (Mikko Polley) of Juneau. His grandchildren are Jennifer Moore-Fisher (Bryson Fisher), Stephen Moore, Rachel Rosier, Grace Rosier, Sarah Rosier, Joshua Rosier, Abigail Rosier, Madison Polley-Morin (Connor), and Colter Polley. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Gemma and Jaci Blue Moore-Fisher.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Ligia, Filson, and Marina at Capitol Adult Care Home, whose kindness and attentive care brought comfort to Carl throughout his last few years. The family is also deeply grateful to Gracious Care Hospice for their loving care and support during this time. Their commitment made a meaningful difference in Carl’s quality of life and brought peace to those closest to him. The warmth and devotion shown by all his caregivers will always be remembered and appreciated.