Charles Peterson

1943 - 2025

It is with great sadness, but also profound joy in having known and loved him, that we announce the death of Charles Theodore Peterson, Jr on September 17, 2025 at the age of 82. Known for his humility, kindness, erudition and charm, Charles was considered by many to be the quintessential Southern Gentleman even though he was in fact born in Kankakee, Illinois.

The first in his family to attend college, Charles was a National Merit Scholar Finalist who went on to earn his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. As a freshman he was initiated into Phi Kappa Psi fraternity whose secret hand shake he kept secret inspite all his wife's machinations. A Naval officer stationed on the aircraft carrier Saratoga, Charles proudly served his country before embarking on a career as a tax attorney, working for Bank One, Wachovia and US Trust among others.

A devoted and doting husband and father, Charles was the quietest voice in a very loud household, showing his love more often through actions than words. Whether he was driving through a blizzard to get his younger son a toy or spending countless hours editing his older son's home movies, Charles made sure his children knew they always came first. In his wife, of 59+ years, Carolyn he found his perfect partner for life, travelling the world, learning, laughing and loving every step of the way.

Charles served on Opera Boards in both Winston-Salem and New York City. Sunday afternoons were devoted to listening to opera, among other things, drinking a fine bottle of Bordeaux and in good weather floating in their pool. The boys referred to their parents as "Chateuxed". Charles also valued the time he served on the Vestry of St.

Paul's Episcopal Church in Oakwood, Ohio. In retirement, he and his wife ran the Preservation Foundation in New Bern, North Carolina. Charles was a founding member in the Oakwood Rotary Club and continued a member wherever he lived.

A hero not just for his quiet, courteous acceptance of his final disease, Charles once, after a long day of work, still dressed in his suit, dove into a pool fully clothed to save a young child no one else noticed was drowning.

A true bon vivant, Charles loved good food, good wine and good friends, but above all else, he adored his family, always needing to know before the end of each visit when he would see his children and grandchildren again. Sadly this time, we don't know exactly when we will meet again but until that day when we feel his embrace once more, he is forever and always in our hearts.

Charles is survived by his wife, Carolyn; their children Ted and Michael; their spouse Ian and Kelly and his grandchildren, Mikey, Natalie and Jack.

Charles ashes will be interred in the outside chapel of Christ Episcopal Church at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 26. Afterwards everyone is invited to the family home on Middle St to raise a glass to Charles.