Karl’s death obviously came as a huge shock to us, and many others.

Everyone who knew us well will know that we were a very close family, and his death was expected to affect us very badly. Yes, it has, but really nothing quite like what we expected or what we had been told. At least not up to this stage. To some extent his death is still sinking in and in so many ways we want to do something or other, only to realize that Karl is no longer with us.

Why has Karl’s death not been quite as devastating as we expected?

Well, we can honestly say that it is because of God, Family, Friends, Colleagues, Sponsors, etc, etc, who made Karl so happy and who have been so good to us. Cards, Flowers, SMS’s, Phone Calls, Visits, etc by so many people has carried us through this very trying time.

We felt compelled to write a note to all of you to let you know how we are managing and to thank you for making this tragedy so much easier to handle.

Karl died that Saturday being very happy, contented, stress free and without any worries. With hindsight we believe that he had never been happier – why? Because of all of you.

Trudy and I had shared 20 ½ very happy years with Karl and we had done as much as possible together. Everything we did, we did together. All our time was spent together apart from when we were at work, although he spent much time at our office interrupting us with little things purely to get our attention and talk. He was very generous and kind to us, and really proud of his sisters, brother-in-law and our grandson.

Thankfully against all wisdom, we never forced him into a career or studying – or in fact anything he was not really committed to. He was happiest helping us with work, moving, etc, etc – anything he did with us was first prize for him. His promised rides overseas mercifully never materialized and we had Karl to ourselves for 20 ½ years. His death, so unexpected, however leaves us with no regrets – we have no further good-byes or any apologies to make, and neither did he. Our relationship was complete, but when he left for the Airport, we never expected our good-byes to be forever.

We also have a very close extended family, and spend many happy holidays with all the Aunts and Uncles and their families. This extended family supported Karl in his riding and Karl was devoted to his cousins. He was adored by his Aunts and Uncles, and this affection was deeply reciprocated by Karl. Karl had also got to know his grandfather who is nearly 89 now, and a bit hard of hearing, and with Karl being so quiet conversation was somewhat limited, but they had come to know and love one another. Likewise, Karl adored his grandmother (Ginger Biscuits!), and the extended family.

Karl was always perceived to be fair and honest, and it was indeed remarkable that many times when there was a serious family game, such as volley ball or bowls or some other, Karl would referee and was often called upon to make a decision about the rules – whether the ball was in or out, etc, and it was incredible that everybody would accept Karl’s verdict. The younger cousins adored Karl and he them, and they would play for hours running around, shrieking, hiding and making a noise until the youngsters inevitably got into hot water for all the joyful racket going on, but Karl would always escape admonishment due to his reputation for being so quiet! However, we always knew he was the main instigator of the fun and games!

He was very humble, and seldom told his school friends about his riding or how he had done – Teachers and Friends usually found out from other people that he rode, and how he had done.

Karl had a few very close friends, but also many friends. He believed that all who knew him should, if asked, feel "Karl was an okay guy". However, he had many more friends than any of us knew, and they were indeed very dear to him. It was strange how his friends were all quite different and they all helped him grow and moulded him into the kid he was. His friends all know who they are, and really, if you ever spoke to him, you were, in his words, “A really nice guy”. Thanks to all of you for your friendship towards Karl, and for making him so happy.

Karl, we believe, had no enemies. In motocross, he was particularly careful when riding to try and not do any dirty riding, or knock other riders. We would sometimes comment that he had not passed a backmarker or other rider quicker, and he would sometimes admonish us by replying that there had been no proper space or place to pass without upsetting the other rider. In his own quiet way, he made many friends in motocross, and really enjoyed everybody in the sport. We have been amazed at how kind and thoughtful riders, and their families, as well as others involved in the sport, have been to us. This includes riders and their families from all over Africa, wherever he competed, and whoever he competed against.

Of course all the trips to various parts of Africa and all over South Africa were really special and we all so enjoyed the traveling, camaraderie and the jokes and fun.

Riders who Karl practiced with obviously were very special as were the various trainers throughout his life who gave him confidence, self belief and taught him so very much.

This year had, from a motocross point of view, been a highlight for him. This was the first time he was properly supported and made to feel really special. The Sponsors, Team & Manager made him feel so special and so happy. Later during the year other sponsors took a real interest in him, and we have never seen Karl so proud and content as he was at Sun City with all the attention he got. For the first time he was really being recognized as a rider, and there were many plans for his riding later this year and next year.

Karl was indeed very lucky, and very happy.

For us as a family, it is a wonderful comfort to know that Karl had given his life to the Lord. This has made his passing so much easier, and we have sought much comfort from the Bible. Karl had written in his diary which we found, that he realize that "God had a special plan for his life" – and indeed He did.

As parents we are very much at Peace with Karl’s death. We are not concerned about how or why the accident happened. We know that Karl was so happy flying with his Uncle Harry, and as he so often said to us: "When it’s your time, then it’s your time" – His time had truly come in the bigger plan, and Karl is no more. He went in the best possible way, really enjoying himself. He had so many crashes on his bikes over the years, but never spent one night in hospital, but this crash was a really big one…

We are very much at peace. Why? Because all of you and what you have done for Karl, and for us. He died a happy, contented boy – completely at peace with his Maker, his family and friends. As many of you said – his life may have been short but it was certainly full!

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for everything you did for Karl, and for being there for us since his death which has made his passing so much easier. We have deliberately left out any names as we would surely have inadvertently forgotten some. You all know where you fitted in with Karl’s life, and he was really so grateful and so happy with your friendship and support. It is because of You that he died so happy and content, and which has made his passing so much easier for us to bear.

We look back on many happy memories, and we thank each of you for those.

Trudy & Paul Stegen