Page created by: Spencer - Knott Families

Charles Spencer, Buddy to many, died July 1, 2016. When he prepared what he called his "in case of" information he said, "It's been a good ride. I got to spend seven pretty cool years getting a Ph.D and thirty years teaching the youth of America. After that, I enjoyed multiple years of retirement spent traveling, hiking, working on preserving photographs, and just "piddling."" It was this sense of humor that endeared him to his family, friends and colleagues. He did not mention his writing, most notably a respected book, Digital Design for Computer Data Acquisition, but that is not surprising for he was a humble man. However, he was never afraid to speak up about things he was passionate about, writing an article for the hometown newspaper at the time of the passing of the Civil Rights Bill. His Open Forum article was given the header, "Calls the Civil Rights Bill Step Forward," hardly a popular stance at that time in small-town North Carolina.

After his diagnosis of Parkinson's, Charles was determined to get the best of the years of good health remaining to him so retired to Hawai'i where he spent close to ten years hiking the trails of most of the Hawai'ian islands with good friends. He later returned to North Carolina to be close to his sister and brother and other family. Charles brought laughter and conversation filled with wit and passion to all who knew him. He played the hand he was dealt with grace and dignity and believed in the power of research to offer more hope to those who continue life's journey with Parkinson's.
We will honor and celebrate his life in late August.