Abortion-Fighting Businessman Carl Karcher dies at 90

Link: News: Businessman Carl Karcher dies at 90 | karcher, carl, day, children, anaheim - OCRegister.com.

He was a vocal opponent of gay rights and abortion, backing his words with money to support controversial initiatives. But he and his wife were also generous donors to less polarizing causes such as homelessness and education, awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships. Karcher traveled in elite circles, counting former President Ronald Reagan and entertainer Bob Hope as friends. A Catholic, Karcher had several audiences with Pope John Paul II, including one where he jokingly offered the pontiff a Carl’s Jr. coupon. The pope nonetheless knighted him into the Order of Malta, one of the highest honors a layperson can attain.