Charles B. Vail

04/29/1923 - 12/18/2024

Charles Brooks Vail passed away at Wesley Long Hospital on December 18, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born on April 29, 1923, in Bessemer, Alabama, the youngest of four children born to William Gordon and Flora Platowsky Vail. Truly a Renaissance man, Charles remained productive, generous, and devoted to his family, friends, and community throughout his 101 years.
Charles's first career was in academia. Although his education was interrupted by service in the Navy during World War II, he completed his BS at Birmingham Southern College and his MS/PhD at Emory University. He taught chemistry at several colleges but found his real niche as a university administrator, serving as an academic Dean at Hampden Sydney College and at Georgia State University, and as President of Winthrop College from 1973 until 1982.
After retiring from academia, Charles began his "second career" as a cabinet maker. He spent almost two decades designing and building furniture for family and friends. Despite the costs of materials and his time, he refused to accept payment for his creations. These lovely pieces of furniture are a lasting legacy for his loved ones.
When declining vision made woodworking unsafe, Charles (always a model of graceful aging) embarked on his "third career," as a writer. In his final decade, he wrote six books on topics as diverse as NC wild flowers, university administration, and his global travels.
Throughout his life Charles was exceedingly generous to everyone he knew, building a family and community around the globe. He is survived by daughters, Lise Vail of Cedar Grove, NJ, and Julie Brown of Greensboro, NC, granddaughters, Nicola Le and Hana Brown, and four great-grandchildren, all of whom cherish his memory
Our family gratefully thanks the staff in the ICU at Wesley Long Hospital and at Friends Homes West for the loving care he received during his final days. The family will hold a Celebration of his life at a date and place to be announced.

Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.