Judge Alexander Karst, a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and esteemed member of the legal community, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at the age of 90.

Alexander was born on February 20, 1935 in the small village of Kolonia-Horyszów, Poland. He  was the only child of Mieczyslav (Mitchell) and Anna Karszt. During World War II, his family was relocated to labor camps in Germany where Alexander’s keen ability to communicate in several languages helped his family make important connections. In 1945, with the end of the war, the Karszt family moved among several displaced people’s camps, including Hohenfels where he first started going to school at the age 10. He was a talented student who earned the equivalent of a high school diploma in the 5 years of formal education.

In 1950, under church sponsorship, Alexander and his family immigrated to the United States on his 15th birthday. He didn’t recall seeing the Statue of Liberty, but remembered feeling like starting their new life in America seemed like a true rebirth. His family worked as indentured servants on a farm in Elma, Washington. It was during this time that Alexander’s zeal for learning flourished. Despite knowing limited English, he attended Aberdeen High School and graduated in 1952. That year, Alexander entered Gonzaga University, WA, where he studied before receiving a scholarship to Santa Clara University, CA. He enjoyed his years in Santa Clara and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1956. Upon urging from his mother, Alexander attended UC Berkeley’s law school (Bolt Hall) and passed the California State Bar in 1959. Directly after law school, Alexander honored his commitment to serving his country by becoming a JAG lawyer in the U.S. Marine Corps.  While going through boot camp and officer training school he  met his bunkmate and lifelong friend, whom he fondly referred to as “Bunkie.”

Upon exiting the Marines as a Lieutenant First Class in 1962, he traveled through Europe and spent time with his relatives who had been relocated to Lake Como, Italy. Through these travels, he realized that he was an American at heart and returned home to the United States.

In 1964, he began working with the Department of Justice as an admiralty lawyer in San Francisco, CA. Subsequently, he practiced law until being appointed as a federal level administrative law judge in 1977. He served in this role until he retired in 2007 at the age of 72.

While Alexander was very accomplished in his career, his real joy and purpose came from his family and friends. He met his wife, Daisy Anne Jackson, in 1964, and was married in 1969. His life from that moment on was devoted to raising his children, Paul and Kathryn, and connecting with friends and family. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, history, carpentry, ironwork, architecture, art, travel and always treasured time spent with his loved ones.

Alexander was a loving husband to Anne for 39 years, a proud father to his children and a cherished “dziadzio” to his grandchildren. His legacy will live on through the values he instilled in his family and the example he set as a man of honor, kindness, and generosity. To those who knew him, he was incredibly thoughtful, loving and a true source of knowledge and inspiration.

Alexander is survived by his children, Paul and his wife Aimee; Kathryn and ex-spouse David Mason, and grandchildren, Jazmine, Madelyn, Amelia, Anastasia and William.

A memorial service will be held on October 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset View Mortuary, El Cerrito, CA.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Alexander Karst, please visit our Tribute Store.