Charles E. Mitchell ’63 *67

A champion pole-vaulter at Princeton and a legendary member of Tiger Inn, he set an enduring record at 15 feet 3 inches when the world record was 15 feet 10 inches, prior to the development of the high-density fiberglass pole.

Charlie routinely pushed the envelope by climbing higher and solving the seemingly unsolvable. He loved his family, the mountains, nature, and the power of pure science.  

In 1967, after earning his doctorate in aerospace and mechanical engineering at Princeton, he joined the faculty of Colorado State University. For more than 41 years he taught thermodynamics and engineering principles and developed courses in aerospace propulsion and compressible fluids. At the graduate level he created courses in the mechanics and thermodynamics of propulsion, combustion, and wave propagation.

An international expert in aerospace and propulsion systems, he consulted for federal agencies and corporations. Charlie also helped to develop a safe and dependable liquid hydrogen and oxygen rocket engine now commonly employed in most space programs.  

The class extends its sympathy to his wife, Veta; three children, Charlie, Lynne Aquarius, and Darla; and brothers and sisters, William, Michael ’65, John *71, Jan, Steven, and Cheryl.