Charles Mater

Charles Mater of Dover, Delaware, passed peacefully away Saturday, August 2nd, 2025.

He was the beloved first born son of Russell and Geraldine Egelkraut Mater born on November 30th, 1932, in Toledo, Ohio.

Chuck graduated from the University of Cincinnati and was a chemical engineer who worked in research and development for BF Goodrich, Reeves Brothers Coated Fabrics and ILC Dover. He was in ROTC during college and served 6 months at Aberdeen Proving Ground followed by the Army Reserves.

Devotion to Classical music and involvement in his church life was a big part of Chuck's life. He served in various choirs and played the piano at church and home. He was an accomplished pianist. He was a choir director in the Buena Vista, VA Presbyterian Church as well as a Deacon and an Elder. In B.V., he sang in town cantatas and musicals, and once directed a cantata. In the Dover Presbyterian Church he was an Elder and sang in the choir for many years. For their 50th wedding anniversary he produced a CD named "A Quiet Evening".

In addition to being a loving father and husband, he also loved hunting, fishing, gardening, playing golf and card games, especially bridge. He filled the freezer with his fruit, vegetables, venison and pan fish.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Betty N. Mater of Dover, DE; his children, Carol Abbott (Earl) of Wyoming, DE, JoAnne Baird (Gil) of Dover, DE, and Rebecca Brooks, MD (Jack) of New Bern, NC; his brother, John Mater (Marty) of Traverse City, Michigan; his six grandchildren, Melissa Zanella (Austin), Kimberly Josz (Jerome), Jessica Baird (Patrick), Jonathan Abbott, Nate Brooks(Meghan) and Sarah Delph(Rob); and his great grandchildren, Clara, Sebastien, Juniper, Zita, and Ethan.

Funeral services will be held 11:00am Saturday, August 9th, 2025, at the Presbyterian Church of Dover. Visitation will be one hour prior. A luncheon reception will follow the service. Interment to the Old Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Dover will follow the luncheon..

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 555 E. Loockerman St Suite 200, Dover, DE 19901 or Presbyterian Church of Dover, 54 S. State Street, Dover, Delaware 19901.

Condolences may be conveyed, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.