Obituary of Carl Risteen

1937-2024

Passed away at The Oromocto General Hospital, March 19 after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Carl was born in Ottawa Ont., to the late Carleton Risteen and the late Jean (MacKenzie) Risteen. Carl received his early education in Ottawa then studied mechanical engineering at the University of New Brunswick, graduating with a BSCE in 1962.Upon graduation, Carl received the Governor General’s Medal for the highest marks in engineering.

In 1964, Carl began a career with N.B. Power as a design engineer, a position he held until his retirement in 1996.

As a graduate student, Carl worked for several years developing a hydraulically actuated artificial arm to aid quadriplegic patients in regaining some of their lost mobility from paralysis.

Carl was awarded his Masters Degree in Engineering from UNB in 1969 as a result of his efforts in developing this prosthetic device. At his graduation his artificial arm caught the attention of a USA official connected to NASA. He was invited to bring his arm to Washington to meet with NASA officials, and then to California as a consultant to the SPAR Corporation to develop a hydraulic arm for space use. Elements of his design were used on the Canada Arm on the US space shuttle.

While he was busy with the arm project, he ran a motorcycle dealership, importing ans elling Spanish-made Bultaco Motorcycles, as well as actively racing them, winning several Maritime Championships in the process.

In 1969 he retired from motorcycle racing to devote what spare time he had to his first love, building and flying radio control model airplanes. Always an innovator, he applied his engineering knowledge to his model airplanes successfully. Carl won many stunt flying contests with his high powered model planes and spent many years developing and building Wankel Rotary model engines in his home machine shop.

Carl was a founding member of the Fredericton Model Aircraft Club and held many positions over the years in addition to being chief instructor. 

Carl, as another project, developed an ultra light aircraft covering called Microlite, which he sold for a time world wide.

Carl is survived by a sister Jean (Gary) Manning, a brother Frank (late Odette), his special friend Doreen Armstrong, as well as two nieces, three nephews, and one grand nephew.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at McAdam's Funeral Home. For those who wish donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.