Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Charles Therrien
1943 - 2025
Charles Therrien Obituary
Charlie is missed dearly by his wife of 57 years Judy, in Monterey and daughters Kristen and Lara, in Boston. Charlie was preceded in death by his infant daughter Keri in 1976.
Charlie was born in February 1943 in Pittsfield, MA. He completed his Bachelors and Masters in electrical engineering at MIT in 1965 and was awarded a PhD in electrical engineering from MIT in 1969. He pursued a career teaching and advising graduate students at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, from 1981 to 2007.
Charlie was a gifted musician who played bass trombone, tuba and guitar. He was also a skilled photographer, and was active in the leadership of the Boston Camera Club in the 1970's. Charlie lived his last six years with Parkinson's disease, but even so, over the last two years he attended more classical concerts and bluegrass performances than one can count. He and Judy remained active members of the California Bluegrass Association and of Tanglewood, and supported and encouraged many folk and bluegrass musicians throughout the world.
Charlie believed in the power of paying forward his scholarship to MIT. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his name can be made to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Honoring his wishes, there are no services scheduled
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Therrien
Sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle.
2 Entries
Peter Staecker
Earlier today
Remembering Charlie Therrien
I first met Charlie Therrien in the early 1960´s when we were both students at MIT. As I recall, we were both under the guidance of Prof. Harry Van Trees, then in his first year at MIT from West Point, where he was first in his class academically, as well as in many other measures of West Point expertise . Harry met with his advisees at the beginning of our sophomore year, and his introduction to us as a group included testing our skills in solving a few problems in Circuits and Systems. Harry´s thesis was that mere sophomores could probably figure out the answers to graduate level problems, and he was right. Charlie was one of the few who saw the path to the solutions.
So, we shared classes in the following three years, while Charlie gathered a BSc. Then he went on for a Masters, and a Doctorate in the Electronics and electrical engineering course of study. Charlie´s skill set and expertise in his technical field of interest allowed him to pursue academics and teaching, where he excelled as both a Professor and a Research Scientist at the Naval Postgraduate Center in Monterey, CA. Before they left for California, my wife and our young family had a chance to share our growing youngsters with the Therrien daughters, since we only lived half a mile from each other.
Charlie loved finding and solving problems and was an exceptional teacher and resource to his students and colleagues. He balanced these skills as a beloved husband to his wife Judy, and daughters Kristen, Lara, and Keri. He was also an accomplished musician who enjoyed listening and learning the craft as much as performing.
We miss you, Charlie
The Staecker Family: Jenny, Christopher, Emily, Susan and Peter
Peter and Susan Staecker
Earlier today
I've known Charlie since we started our education at MIT in Cambridge, MA. Our faculty advisor had asked his group of new sophomores in Course VI (every piece of the Institute can be referenced to a number) some circuit theory questions that were taken from the Doctoral Qualifying exam. Charlie knew the answers
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Make a Donation
in Charles Therrien's name
Memorial Events
for Charles Therrien
How to support Charles's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Charles Therrien's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
