Karl (Carl) Pappenheimer was born in Stuttgart on October 10, 1875 as the son of Josef Pappenheimer and his wife Ida, née Kaufmann. In February 1903, he moved to Bad Kissingen and married Flora Kugelmann who came from a respected Kissingen family of art dealers. Together with his brother-in-law Felix Kugelmann, who produced ornate furniture and interior furnishings of all kinds, he managed the general distribution business of “Kugelmann & Pappenheimer”.

In 1912, Karl Pappenheimer went to Berlin for the first time, and during World War I the family – in 1913 their daughter Ina was born in Berlin – lived in the capital of the Reich most of the time. Since 1923, the family again lived in the Franconian spa town during the spa season and stayed in Berlin-Charlottenburg in winter. In September 1938, the Pappenheimers ultimately checked out for Berlin.

In October 1941, Karl Pappenheimer and his wife Flora were deported from Berlin to Litzmannstadt/ Lodz Ghetto. From there they were deported on May 13, 1942 to Kulmhof/ Chelmno Extermination Camp where they died. 

Their daughter Ina Pappenheimer, however, was able to emigrate to America in time. She made her new home in Miami (Florida).