Charlie died in his own bed in his sleep on Feb. 2, 1998, in West Nyack, N.Y. He had been feeling reasonably well until the end-and had been active as usual on the telephone. A memorial service was held at Clarkstown Reformed Church.
Charlie was a graduate of Lawrenceville; he joined the Army and did not graduate with our class. He was among the first troops sent overseas and served his last two years as a Signal Corps photography officer in China, Burma, and India. He then became president of Trident Films, developing Action Priorities and working directly with NYC youth, teaching them to be actively involved in their own problem solving.
Few of us get written into the Congressional Record. Charlie did when the Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman cited him for the fight he made to block the Palisades Center Mall. "Environmentalists do not get paid to fight," Charlie told the Rockland Journal-News in 1993. "They do it because they care."
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joy, sons Charles F. III and David, and four grandchildren. We are sorrowful at the death of a unique and talented gentleman.