Charles Zacharias

Charles Zacharias, M.D.

Charles was born on February 7, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, the first child of Walter and Anna (Valentine) Zacharias. He began his education at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic School, where he was awarded an academic scholarship at graduation to attend Notre Dame Catholic High School in Niles, Illinois. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1968.

After beginning his college education in Chicago at the University of Illinois, Charles transferred to Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois to complete his baccalaureate degree in biology with the class of 1972. During his time at Knox, he was already publishing early genetics research with the laboratory of Dr. William Gear.

He was granted conscientious objector status by the Chicago Draft Board, and performed alternative medical service.

Charles married fellow Knox graduate Margaret King on October 5, 1974 in the Howes Memorial Chapel on the campus of Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Under a special dispensation from the Archdiocese of Chicago, both the Northwestern University Newman Center priest and a Methodist minister were in attendance as celebrants.

Charles' gentle authenticity led him to begin medical studies at Benjamin Rush University Medical Center in 1976. He received his M.D. degree from Rush Medical College in 1980, and went on at Rush to complete his residency and fellowship in diagnostic imaging, while continuing research into the genetics of cancer with the laboratory of Dr. Giampiero DiMayorca.

During their time in Chicago, Charles and Margaret were blessed with two sons, William, born in 1981, and Matthew, born in 1984.

In 1985, Charles helped to found Diagnostic Imaging Associates to serve Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Iowa, and moved his young family to Des Moines. He was a beloved physician in mammography and ultrasound, as well as an educator and staunch supporter of technician training for emerging diagnostic innovations, until he retired to Tucson, Arizona in 2016.

Charles' commitment to the importance of education included not only his sons and medical technicians. He helped to educate his nieces and nephews, along with a number of other students in the Diocese of Des Moines. He was a founding donor to establish the House of Mercy for struggling families.

Charles loved architecture. He donated both his time and financial resources to help expand and modernize facilities at Mercy Hospital Medical Center, and his contributions helped to restore several Des Moines historical landmarks, including Salisbury House and Gardens, St. Ambrose Cathedral, and the Basilica of St. John. He appreciated his blessings, and shared them with everyone around him.

Charles was able to walk his mother's ancestral ground in Italy; play golf on St. Andrew's "Old Course" in Scotland; watch the sun set from the west coast of Maui, and enjoy sunrise on the east coast of Kauai.

In 2016 Charles retired to his favorite Tom Fazio golf courses at Ventana Canyon in Tucson, Arizona. But he never lost his love for the Chicago Bears. When he couldn't use his tickets, they were donated to help Chicago children attend games. He was honored at halftime on Soldier Field for his enduring support.

Charles passed away in Tucson, Arizona from a sudden and fatal cardiac event on September 18, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Anna.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; sons, William (Amanda Evans Zacharias) and Matthew Henry; his 'Peach,' granddaughter Amelia Ann; sister, Joanne Zacharias Prusik (Gregory Prusik); nieces, Elizabeth Prusik and Laura Prusik Williams (Eric Williams), and his large, loving extended Italian family in Chicago.

A memorial service for Charles is scheduled on Wednesday, October 16 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50311.

For anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in Charles' honor, the Zacharias family suggests directing it to https://rad-aid.org/donate/.