Karl Thorpe

Title: Security Officer.

Duties: Maintaining security throughout The Scripps Research Institute campus. Helping institute scientists, staff, and visitors as needed, unlocking cars they locked themselves out of, jumpstarting vehicles, and giving directions.

Started at Scripps Research: 1997.

Background: Born and raised in upstate New York. Served in the Korean War. Trained in the military as an auto body frame technician, a skill that he used to earn a living for 40 years in shops around the San Diego region.

Favorite Part of Working at Scripps Research: "The people! It's great to work with so many people who like their jobs."

Family Life: A widower, Thorpe has four sons, a daughter, and 12 grandchildren. He lives in Sun City with one of his sons, Nick. One family hobby is working on their race car, named Legend. "Nick drives. My other sons and grandchildren are the pit crew."

Extracurriculars: Sprinting. Earlier this month, Thorpe swept the California senior state championships, placing first in the 50-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter races. His times were 7.6, 14.2, and 29.8 seconds, respectively.

"My goal was to win one event—but three is even better!" says Thorpe.

Thorpe, who took up the sport in September 2001, trains with his son Nick six days a week, an hour and a half each day—running, lifting weights, and doing yoga. "I love the competition," Thorpe says. "Even when I don't win, I have fun, stay healthy, and meet nice people."

In 2003, Thorpe brought home eight gold, 14 silver, and five bronze medals. This year, he has been doing even better, to date winning 12 golds, two silvers, and a bronze.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

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Scripps Research Security Officer Karl Thorpe is now officially the fastest sprinter in his age group in California. Photo by Kevin Fung.