Sad News (Civilian thread)

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Sad News

This really sad news. I was too bummed to write anything yesterday. I was fortunate enough to have gone to plenty events to meet Charles, got to plan an event with him, and had him to my house for a Christmas party. He was one of a kind in many ways, and a volume of knowledge on the hobby. He'll be missed for certain.

My last interaction with Charles was at Westville last fall when I arrived well after dark in the rain. I saw one figure in the parking lot and found it to be Charles. I asked him if he knew where the registration building was. He said he did and then proceeded to take me to the building through the drizzle and puddles even though it was not on his way. Nice guy.

[col90]

Re: Sad News

I just got off the phone with Bev and have the arrangements.

The funeral will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home in Hagerstown, MD. The address is 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown, MD, 21752, and the website is here: http://www.douglasfiery.com/

Charles did not want an obituary, and in lieu of flowers, Bev requests that you make donations to the CWPT in Charles' name.

In addition, following the service, Bev will have a brief luncheon/get-together at her house. She and her family will have cold cuts, etc., there, but if you want or can bring some sort of side dish, that would be welcomed. She does need to have an idea of the number of people coming to her house after the funeral, so if you could just email me to let me know, I'll pass that back to her. We need to know no later than Thursday if you are coming to the house. My email is col90@yahoo.com

She told me that she has had a chance to look at some of the the things you have been posting here. I hope that whoever the webmaster here is can archive these wonderful memories of Charles for her.

Colleen Formby

[lojafan]

Re: Sad News

This is a real shock! I never knew Charles in person, but I read many of his commentaries and often got a kick out of it as well as learning many things to the hobby. From the comments everyone has left, he was obviously a wonderful person and a treasure of information about the Civil War. My condolences go to the family, you are all in my prayers.

Now you may rest under the shade of the trees my friend.

[Justin Morris]

Re: Sad News

Having just returned home from a short vacation, I am just reading this. I cannot believe Chawls is no longer with us. Truly a unique man. Always with a joke, always there to support folks. Charles drove all the way from home to Fort Donelson one very cold and messy February weekend, just to cook for a company at a living history that our unit, the Independent Rifles, hosted. This alone showed me his dedication to the hobby and that he was willing to go the distance to support his friends and help along new units. I will truly miss him and his efforts in the hobby. God bless his wife and may we one day meet again Charles.

Justin

[Csayankee]

Re: Sad News

Our throughts and prayers are with Charles and his Family. He will be missed.

[henionjd]

Re: Sad News

Another facet of Charles was the thought, energy, time, and money he put into event logistics or what he christened "Kabuki". His notion was that all the necessary elements of life that the army or circumstances might have provided to the soldier in the field should be provided to the reenactor in as unobtrusive, sanitary and period correct manner as circumstances would allow. To this end he brought a sense of imagination and an eye for detail that was often overlooked by those not ‘in on the game’. His obsession with plentiful, potable water was legendary.

In my experience, Payne’s Farm represented the zenith of his skill. Our train consisted of two pick-up trucks, an SUV with a utility trailer and a horse trailer full of boxes, portable water tanks, tarps, signs, tools, commissary supplies and other items. Those who were there will remember that the smaller tanks had wooden housings he constructed so as to remain relatively unobtrusive and yet recognizable at the same time. We made seemingly endless runs for water, fussed over trail markers, and damn near ran ourselves ragged. If we sometimes wondered what it was all for, a glimpse into the Federal camp after the battle made it all worth it. It Kevin and Dusty had the imagination and skill to conceive and organize the event, Charles performed the physical engineering behind the scenes that made such ambitious plans workable.

On Saturday night at Antietam 2003, I had worked myself in a state of complete exhaustion and was fading fast when Charles took me to the Bunker and offered up his guestroom, an act of kindness which was typical of the man. If there were times you wanted to hit him with a brick, there were far more when his humor, enthusiasm, and good fellowship made you forget his foibles. I count myself fortunate to have known Charles as a friend. I will not see his like again.

-Jeff Henion
Columbia Rifles

[Jaguarspark]

Re: Sad News

Mrs. Heath-my deep condolences on your loss. I had sparred with him on the boards, but finally got to meet him at Ft. Granger several years ago, and ran into him several times after and always looked forward to it. While I hate cabbage, which put me at something of a disadvantage with his cooking:-) ,I did enjoy many a good meal and some good conversation with him. Plus, who could I not like a man who also considerd Paint Your Wagon as a great musical. Again my deepest regrets at your loss. He will be missed by the hobby and by myself.

Dennis West

[10TnVI]

Re: Sad News

MY deepest sympathies go out to Mrs. Heath. I attended a number of events with Charles and always looked forward to seeing him again. His being there to cook actually was a deciding factor on occasion, because I knew wherever he was we would have a good time. I'll never forget his role as Juliet(and neither will Tim Arnold) in the performance of the balcony scene at Ft. Granger. A great loss for you and the fellowship.

[dusty27]

Re: Sad News

As with many of you, my first experience with Charles was online, mostly on the CW Reenactor board. He seemed confrontational and had an elite air to me. I first saw hm at a living history in Ptizer's Woods that the SWB did back in the late 90's. He would rib me about the can of baked beans at that event near every time I saw him.

When the planning of Payne's Farm began, I wanted to try to put on a good event, so I took a plunge and contacted Charles to do logistics for the event. I think he pointed me to Kevin as Federal leader, but Kevin will correct me if I'm mistaken.

From day one, Charles was nothing like his online persona with me. He would listen to my ideas, give his opinion but left the final decision to me to make. As Sparky describes above, the water distribution at Payne's Farm was remarkable. Some stationary, most mobile, water was never an issue at PF aside from the possible freezing of the spigots. Charles made it happen, right down to providing a backup distribution system for the CS water at the event, which arrived later than expected. He also helped me make the famous midnight wood run into the Federal camp when the prepositioned wood could not be found. Charles also mended wire fences that were crossed at the event, as well as provided a clear path for the Federal's advance through the woods.

His many pre-event visits and work before, during and after made Payne's Farm the success it was. Without him, the event wouldn't have happened, period.

He also helped me with a Kernstown event and the After the Battle:Fredericksburg event. I only wish that one had worked out better for him.

Charles was also a champion of preservation. Who else could have gotten someone to pay $300 for a pie??

Charles' impact on the hobby in the east, at least, was larger than most will know. I respected him and I think he respected me. I think we worked well together and put on some decent events with each other's help.

My sympathies go out to Bev. She was a tolerate woman and she may have known (or not) of the donations that Charles made to preservation "while she wasn't lookin'"

I hope to attend the funeral on Friday.

Dusty

[375Ranger]

Re: Sad News

I am truely sorry to all of you for your loss. I am also at a loss it seems since I never had the pleasure to meet this great man. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time.

Mike S.

[Gallinipper]

Re: Sad News

I am at a total loss for words. If anybody has Bev's phone number, please send me a PM. Thanks.

Thanks.

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Sad News

Paul and I talked this morning and we decided that it would be appropriate to put Charles' picture on the June cover of the AC to honor his contributions to the hobby. We have already selected the final three photos for June. The vote for those images will be held at the end of next month.

Our sincere condolences to Bev and to Charles' family. This is a shock to all of us, but most of all to them. He will obviously be missed.

[Milliron]

Re: Sad News

From day one, Charles was nothing like his online persona with me. He would listen to my ideas, give his opinion but left the final decision to me to make. As Sparky describes above, the water distribution at Payne's Farm was remarkable. Some stationary, most mobile, water was never an issue at PF aside from the possible freezing of the spigots. Charles made it happen, right down to providing a backup distribution system for the CS water at the event, which arrived later than expected. He also helped me make the famous midnight wood run into the Federal camp when the prepositioned wood could not be found. Charles also mended wire fences that were crossed at the event, as well as provided a clear path for the Federal's advance through the woods.

Speaking as one of the grateful Federals who collected that wood, I remember meeting Charles that night on a four wheeler and trailer loaded with wood. We challenged him, and received the reply: "Kabuuuukiiii" as a countersign. We loaded our arms up and spent a warmer night as a result. One of my favorite memories.

[Staunton Rebel]

Re: Sad News

I saw Charles twice this year, once over ribs in Verona, VA and then again pruning the trees in the orchard at New Market. To say he was a character fails to encompass him. He was a good man deep down to the core. I'll miss him and think about him as we finish up pruning the trees at New Market.

[Mcouioui]

Re: Sad News

I knew him only by PM or the answers about my jokes on various subjects, I have crossed to IPW without seeing him really, but his jokes always made me laugh, he always had the good word and the good joke...
My best regards to his family and to his friends...

William