Karl Edward Teller

Karl Edward Teller, a.k.a. "Redbird Express", 82, was born on July 15, 1941 in Quakertown Hospital to the late Walter C. and Nellie A. (Stair) Teller. He was raised on his parents farm in Spinnerstown, PA. His father was a furrier by trade and farmed part time. His mother was a retired registered nurse and housewife. Karl's mother died an untimely death at age 38 in 1948. He was then raised to maturity by his father as an only child.

He became interested in heavy trucks and construction at an early age and drove tractor trailer rigs for his livelihood for forty five years before retiring in 2003. Karl could boast of having no accidents during his forty five years of professional truck driving. He was an owner-operator from 1974-1986, hauling cinders, coal, sand, and stone throughout the PA-NJ area. He was the organizer and owner of the popular Halloween parade float named the "Haunted Hauler". This scary float appeared in all of the areas Halloween parades from 1977 through 1988. A total of 12 years of parading. Karl also entered the float in the Philadelphia Mummers parade for 10 years. Seven of those years the float finished in the top three. He always marched with the "Liberty Club", one of the top comic clubs. Karl was inducted into the Mummers Hall of Fame at Palumbos Restaurant in Philadelphia in 1987.

His interests then turned to railroads, and the hobo way of life. He attended "The National Hobo Convention" for the first time in 1990. It is held every August in Britt, Iowa annually since 1900. This changed Karl's entire life. He switched employment to the propane industry, working in the winters locally driving propane transport rigs and delivery trucks. This seasonal employment left him free to travel all over America in his pickup truck and camper. He attended hobo gatherings all over America. He has ridden several Western freight trains "hobo style". In 2002 he "threw his hat into the ring" at the National Hobo Convention and was elected the "National Hobo King" for one year. But, "once a king, always a king" they say. He also organized and hosted the very popular East Coast Hobo Gathering which was held in Pennsburg, PA from 1992-2003. It was the premier hobo event in the entire country.

Karl spoke numerous times the past several years to church groups, old folks homes, and mens/women's groups. Railroads and hobos were his topics. He could be found at Quakertown restaurants daily, one of his favorites being Sine's 5&10 Cent Store in downtown Quakertown.

Karl is survived by his son in Colorado; two granddaughters; two grandsons; one great grandson; and three great granddauthers.