Charles August "Chuck" Gomer III

GOMER, Charles "Chuck" August, III, a retired portfolio manager with Davenport Investments in Richmond, died in the early hours of December 21, 2021 in his home in Aquia Harbor, Virginia. He was days shy of his 73rd birthday. Charles August Gomer III, son of Charles August Gomer Jr., a sales manager for Inland Ryerson Steel and his wife, Betsy Brooks Dillard Gomer, a business and typing teacher, was born in Durham, North Carolina and raised in Baltimore, Maryland.

After attending Roland Park Public School, where his mother taught, he transferred to the Gilman School and graduated in 1967. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1971 with a B.A. in International Studies. Chuck was a lifelong Tar Heel and his love of his alma mater led him to many a basketball or lacrosse game during his life. A household joke was often said, "If God wasn't a Tar Heel, then why is the sky 'Carolina Blue?'" He enjoyed a competitive rivalry with his late father, a graduate of Duke University.

After receiving his Master of Science from the University of Richmond, Chuck then entered into the fixed income financial sector. He managed portfolios for Delaware Management Company, Thompson Siegel & Walmsley and Davenport & Company. He played an integral role in establishing the Fixed Income division of Davenport Asset Management, from where he retired as a Senior Vice President, Head Fixed Income Portfolio Manager in February 2021.

Chuck attended several years of summer camp at Frye's Leap in Maine. He treasured the friendships he created and periodically, organized reunions in addition to attending the 50th anniversary of the camp. Chuck's family spent many summers in Ocean City, Maryland, where his parents owned and managed the Stone Haven and Homestead Apartments on 14th Street. The summer after graduating from college, he fondly recalled unpacking 64 boxes of wooden rocking chairs, spray painting them black in the parking lot and stenciling property names on them. He waited tables and bartended at the Embers Restaurant during summers in college.

Chuck was a longtime member of the North South Skirmish Association, a black powder shooting competition in various locations throughout the south. The group made their own ammunition, sewed by hand their wool uniforms, erected replica encampments and cherished their friendships.

Chuck enjoyed a lifetime of travel beginning with a Trans-Atlantic crossing with his older sister and parents in 1968 on the S.S. France. He visited Germany, England, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and France many times during his lifetime with his favorite city being Paris. Chuck loved the beach with Ocean City, the Outer Banks and the barrier islands near Cape Charles, Virginia being his favorites. Scuba diving trips took him to Grand Turk, Cozumel and Bonaire on several occasions. His siblings and his parents spent many a Christmas holiday in Barbados. He took a memorable rafting trip on the Colorado River with his daughter, Alicia, following college graduation. In addition to scuba diving, he also enjoyed golf, early morning swimming and college sports. Chuck was also a dedicated fan of the Rolling Stones, attending many concerts over the years, most recently on July 3, 2019. His favorite song was "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Next time you hear it, please think of Chuck.

In 2016, Chuck met the love of his life, Alejandra Rose Lukaszew, who was a Doctor of Physics at the College of William and Mary at the time. They were married on September 15, 2018 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they lived until moving to Aquia Harbor. They enjoyed adventures to London, Rome, Barcelona and Paris and had planned to visit Buenos Aires in the spring of 2020. In June 2020, Chuck was diagnosed with lung cancer and Ale never left his side. He completed various treatments at Johns Hopkins Hospital and had recently entered a clinical trial in the fall. He never gave up fighting. Chuck will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Ale; a daughter, Alicia Park Gomer Wittink of Ithaca, New York; and another daughter, Charlotte Peyton Lee Gomer of Richmond, Virginia; a brother, David Harrison Gomer of Cape Charles, Virginia; a sister, Martha Dillard Gomer of Cary, North Carolina; and another sister, Betsy Brooks Gomer Yearley of Baltimore, Maryland. Chuck was affectionately called "Uncle Goofy" by his nieces, Kate (Gomer), Helen (Yearley), Brook (Buck); and nephews, Nick (Gomer) and Dorsey (Yearley); and a grandnephew, James (Buck). He was lovingly called "G-Dad" by his grandchildren, Anneke and Thijs (Wittink).

A virtual memorial service is being planned for early 2022. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Chuck's name to St. George's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 7127, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401.