Remembering Carl Fowler

It was with great sadness that we learned that Carl Fowler—a supporter of ASHI and the inspection industry for more than 30 years—passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Like many of us, Carl started out as a home inspector. His career began in 1986. He loved inspecting homes—especially for first-time home buyers. Also like many of us, he did not love the hours spent writing reports. He felt there had to be a better way and, always interested in a project (and a challenge), he was determined to find one. With the help of Charles Cubbage, a teenage computer whiz, Carl found his solution. The two worked together 
to create software that would allow Carl to write detailed, professional inspection reports in a fraction of the time.

It didn’t take Carl long to realize this report writing solution could help other home inspectors, and that is why many of you know him as the face of 
3D Inspection Systems Report Writing Software. Some would even say he was the heart and soul. 
In truth, he was so much more.

If you saw Carl at Inspection World, or any number of regional gatherings of home inspectors, you’d see him in his suit and tie, but as soon as things closed up for the day he’d quickly change into something casual and comfortable (comfort was important) and was ready for what he considered the best part of any travel—adventure and connecting with people. 
To Carl, connecting with people, really getting to know them, was what mattered (even over making sales). 
As many of you saw at ASHI conferences over the years, he always had a smile and a warm greeting. 
I am not sure he ever met anyone he disliked—including his competitors.

Carl wholeheartedly believed life was not to be taken too seriously. When he told me he had Stage 4 colon cancer and would receive chemo every two weeks for the rest of his life, you’d have thought 
he was telling me nothing more than it was going 
to rain tomorrow.

He enjoyed laughter and seeing others smile. I talked with him days before his passing and he was still making jokes. Carl wore a different costume to each chemo treatment. After a while, other patients started wearing costumes, too.

If you had the opportunity to meet or to know Carl, I’m sure none of the above surprises you. Inspection World was like a reunion of friends for him. It was always the people he was excited about.

I personally met Carl (and Kathy) at an ASHI conference in 1992, when I was looking for a better way of generating inspection reports. With the features of 3D, back in the DOS days, it wasn’t hard for him to sell me on the software. I’ve been known to have a tech issue or two, and at the time, I’d call Carl—a lot. 
As a result I got to know him well, and I count myself lucky to have been his friend. Even more lucky to have had him as a personal friend for more than 30 years. 
I’m still working on the not taking life too seriously part, but Carl never gave up on me.

I’m told 3D will continue going strong, as his son takes over. Donna Fix and Heather Johnson, who have been with 3D for decades, will continue to support 
the team as well.

It’s clear that everyone who knew him was a friend of Carl’s. Here are some of our colleagues’ comments on hearing of his passing.

“Very sorry to hear of the passing of Carl. He was a pioneer in the inspection software community. Carl always had a story or an adventure to share. At the Inspection World conferences, he’d often listen to my rants about inspections and was always willing to give guidance on how to better myself and be more efficient. Carl, rest in peace. You will be truly missed by inspectors around the country.” Randy Sipe

“Very sad to hear this. Yes, Carl was a great guy and in integral part of the growth of the inspection industry.” Brian Hannigan

“A very special goodbye and farewell to Carl Fowler. Thanks for all you did for our little industry. You were a true friend, a great supporter, one of our first partners, and just a good dude! Rest in peace, you earned it.” P Nathan Thornberry

“Carl and I met back in 1992 at the FABI conference in Orlando. He was introduced to me by Evered Rawlings. I found Carl to be a very wise inspector and extremely involved with computers. I was a rookie at the time and learned a lot from meeting and talking to him at various conferences. He was very giving of his time and knowledge, and I appreciate all the help he provided me as a courtesy to the new inspector. He was a computer whiz, and I was very impressed and happy to make his acquaintance. Although I never used his 3D software, he went out of his way to help me and others with their home inspection software and reports. He would come down to South Florida and do presentations to our ASHI Chapter now and then, and many of our colleagues started using his software.” Joey Caballero

“Always enjoyed seeing and speaking with him over the years. He got me using 3D when it was in DOS.” Scott Patterson

“He had the best inspection software you could buy. He will be missed.” Hank Blackman

“He was a good guy, and he was a friend.” Larry Smyj

“Great guy and good friend to all he knew.” Dan Howard