On March 16, 2025, Willmar Karl Sick, beloved husband of the late Jenny Pavlov; devoted father of Anna Sick-Samuels and her husband Ben and Paul Matino and his wife Mary; loving grandfather of William and Isabelle Samuels and Martin and Abigail Matino

Willmar Karl Sick was born on June 9, 1928, in Langenau, Germany, the youngest of four siblings. His father, Christian Sick, fought in World War I and passed away when Willmar was a young child. Raised by his mother, Anna Regina Babette Sick, Willmar grew up alongside his brother Erik and sisters Ruth and Hanelore. His father was a "Friseurmeister," or hairdresser, and the family ran a hair salon business.

During his childhood, Willmar shared many stories of having fun and creating minor mischief in their town. He and his friends would explore the countryside looking for adventures. As a teenager, Willmar attended Gymnasium in Ulm, Germany, but his education was interrupted by World War II. He was sent to train as a pilot in the military youth camps. His family and community faced tremendous hardships during the war, including the loss of loved ones and the struggle for survival. Following the war, Willmar was sent to a work-camp cleaning-up after the war instead of finishing his last year of Gymnasium.

After this,Willmar returned to Langenau and pursued the family business, attending trade school to become a Friseurmeister. His ambition led him to apprentice in Munich and later Paris, where he styled hair for fashion runways. Willmar 's creative idea to use snips of baby hair in a wig to make it look more natural won him a hairstyling competition.

In the 1950s, Willmar moved to Baltimore, Maryland, after receiving an invitation from Swiss-born Friseurmeister Carl Griesser to work at the salon, "Karl's Intercoiffeur". In 1959, Willmar and his lifelong colleague and friend, Howard Fong became the owners. Together, they transformed the salon into a beacon of beauty and style for nearly five decades.

Willmar and Howard created a celebrated business known for its innovation and high standards. They both had an eye for beauty and invention- while executing their craft and running the business with high attention to detail and efficiency. Willmar pushed the field taking chemistry courses to create new hair dyes and patented hairstyling tools he engineered. As a testament to both of them, many of Karl's Intercoiffure staff, Willmar and Howard trained, have become shop owners of their own, and staff and customers have remained life-long friends.

Beyond the salon, Willmar had a long list of hobbies, including a love of the outdoors. He lived on a beautiful property in Monkton, MD, where he trained Giant Schnauzers, grew fruits and vegetables, tackled mechanical challenges of his big blue Ford tractor, and devised ways to capture the pesky ground hogs and beavers.

He became a pilot and long-term member of the Soaring Society of America, preferring to fly glider planes without a motor. He spent many days at the Frederick Airport, celebrating his longest flight that ended in a distant field. He loved the endless challenge of chess, routinely keeping a chess book within arm's reach and achieved the title of chess champion of Towson, MD.

Since his childhood, Willmar was inspired by Native American culture. Driven by this fascination, he traveled across the Americas and drove across the United States many times in his Porsche, collecting adventures and artifacts along the way.

In the 1980s, Willmar met Jenny Pavlov, a physician scientist at Johns Hopkins. They married, and Willmar became the father to daughter Anna and stepfather to Paul. As a grandfather, he deeply cherished his grandchildren, delighting in their company and showering them with gifts. His commitment to health, exercise and independent nature allowed him to live independently until age 92.

Willmar Karl Sick, a man of intelligence, drive, and curiosity, left an indelible mark on all who crossed paths with him. He cultivated deep friendships based in shared interests and love of life. His legacy lives in these memories and we will remember Willmar heeding his advice to, "think forward," with inspiration for life.

Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26), on Sunday, March 23rd, from 10 to 11 AM, at which time a Memorial Service will begin.  Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Native Forward Scholars Fund at www.nativeforward.org or WWF, World Wildlife Fund at www.worldwildlife.org .