Carl Pappe was born in Hungary in 1900. At a young age, he moved to Ohio with his family. He later became an apprentice to a muralist painter in Ohio at the age of fourteen. He would study at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. For a time, he worked as a set designer for Paramount Studios theater before its closing. He moved to Mexico where he met his wife, fellow artist Bernice Goodspeed. The two would eventually move to Taxco and open a studio gallery that welcomed all artists. He was experienced in a variety of mediums and styles. He passed away in Mexico at 98 years old.