Charles Robert Specter

Cincinnati - Charles Robert Specter passed away peacefully on October 9, 2025. He was born in New York City on April 27,1932, to the late Joseph and Pauline Specter, and he grew up in Brooklyn. Charlie is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carol (Garfunkel) Specter, daughters Karen (John) Bunyan and Susan Specter, and granddaughter Allison Elder.

After graduating Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and serving for three years on a destroyer in the navy, Charlie and his wife moved to Cincinnati for his new job at Procter & Gamble. He spent his entire career there as a chemical engineer in Research and Development, working on consumer products, notably Charmin and Pampers. Charlie enjoyed telling about his experiences in the navy and at P & G, and friends loved to hear his stories.

All through his life, Charlie enjoyed volunteering for various organizations, including the Museum of Natural History and Science at the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, United Way, Hoxworth Blood Center, and Northern Hills Synagogue, where he served as president during its formative years.

His activities over the years included whitewater canoeing; he even taught classes with Sierra Club. He and Carol enjoyed square dancing for many years. He loved sports of any kind and played tennis into his eighties. He was a tennis line umpire locally and also served as a linesman at the New York Open. He rooted for all the Cincinnati baseball, basketball, and football teams, especially the Reds and, of course, the Bengals! His biggest love was chocolate.

Charlie enjoyed his last three years, living at Seasons Retirement Community, where he enjoyed socializing and had many friends. He especially liked playing chair volleyball and bridge.

In keeping with his love of and belief in science, Charlie signed up long ago to bequeath his body to the UC College of Medicine.

A Celebration of Life in his honor will be held on Saturday, November 1, at 2:00 p.m., at the Seasons. Contributions may be made to United Way, the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Body Donation Program at the UC College of Medicine, or a charity of your choice.