ACarlos "Charles" Sobrero

ACarlos "Charles" Sobrero passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024, after a long and exceptionally courageous battle with cancer. He was 67 years old. He will be most fondly remembered by his wife of 23 years, Guillermina Gonzalez, his family, and his friends for his constant smile, eternal optimism, spirited nature, quiet strength, laughter, unconditional support, and natural wisdom.
Charles was only one year old when his family emigrated to the U.S. from Argentina. He grew up culturally diverse and bilingual (speaking fluent Spanish and English) in Manhattan near Columbia University. As a college undergraduate, Charles attended Princeton University and obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering from The California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Employed exclusively by DuPont throughout his long and distinguished career, first as a scientist and later, on U.S. and international assignments that included a position in The Netherlands, Charles's work led to frequent travel. It was on a fated flight from West Virginia to Pittsburgh that he first met his wife, corporate executive and Mexico native, Guillermina Gonzalez. What began as a conversation in English that Guillermina initiated to distract her from her fear of flying in a small plane, led to a nonstop Spanish conversation for the duration of the trip. The two exchanged business cards, and Charles, clearly smitten, emailed Guillermina within the week. Both never married and mature adults, their two-city whirlwind courtship led to a civil ceremony within the year, and they have been inseparable ever since. As Guillermina navigated an ever-evolving career upon moving to the U.S. – including a run for Delaware State Representative – Charles was her unfailing supporter and compass.
Charles had a very analytical, problem-solving mind. He loved numbers and would do formula puzzles to decompress. He enjoyed healthy, supported debate, mostly listening and contributing only in a thoughtful and deliberate way. He enjoyed reading, consuming information, and engaging his intelligent brain with ongoing research. A deeply compassionate man, at the time of his death, he was developing a concept to battle world hunger through better hydroponic food production systems. Without a doubt, he leaves the world a better place for all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Charles is survived by his wife and his two siblings – his older sister Mumi and his brother Raul. The family encourages memories of Charles to be posted on his permanent memorial page at https://acarloscharles-sobrero.forevermissed.com where photos of Charles throughout his life can also be found.
Friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Tuesday, March 12 from 3:00 - 4:00PM, followed by a Remembrance Service and Blessing. The interment will be held privately in All Saints Cemetery.
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