Charles died May 8, 2012, in Albuquerque, N.M.
He left Princeton after two years to assist in the family’s abstracts business. He enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in 1940.
During World War II, Charles trained to be an air controller and was assigned to the Pacific theater in Feb-
ruary 1942. After serving in the Philippines, Charles separated as captain in 1946 and was awarded a Bronze Star.
In 1946, he returned to the University of Oklahoma, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1948 and a master’s degree in mathematics in 1949. He taught from 1945 to 1951, before being recalled to serve in the Korean War to work on the air-defense system.
In 1952, he joined the University of New Mexico faculty to teach electrical engineering and mathematics. He moved to Sandia National Labs in 1954, receiving a master’s in electrical engineering in 1956. He was appointed supervisor for systems studies at Sandia. He retired after 35 years in 1989.
Charles received numerous awards and acknowledgments. He enjoyed mountain hiking, backpacking, and travel, particularly in France.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Grace Hope Watson, and by his second wife, Francisca Duran. He is survived by his daughter, Silvia, and her husband, Mo; two stepdaughters, Tanya and Tamra; and two stepsons, Tobias and Tom.