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Charlie, as a 19-year-old soldier in Vietnam, was
shotand survived as a paraplegic, using a wheelchair for the rest
of his life. Charlie, as I understand it, after rehabilitation came to
Columbus as a drafter. He worked for a number of local architecture firms,
then went on to school at OSU, where he studied architecture and graduated
with a four-year degree. Charlie took the license exam many times, but
was unable to complete all the parts of the exam to become a licensed
architect. This was a source of major frustration for him.
I had met Charles about six years ago at an AIA continuing education seminar
and had a chance to talk with him. After meeting him at various chapter
activities, Charles told me the firm he had been working at had let him
go for lack of work. I asked if he would be interested in working for
the city as a residential plans examiner and in becoming our expert in
accessibility issues. Charlie took the challenge and joined our group.
He was patient and giving to applicants of all typesfrom the homeowner
who wanted to build his own deck to the architect or the residential designer
of production houses. He would help the applicant understand the code,
do sketches to help them understand structure, and give advice, when asked
for, to help them improve their presented designs. He always had time
to help somebody, even if it meant he had to work overtime to finish his
own work.
About four years ago, Charles was diagnosed with
stomach cancer. He fought the disease as he had attacked every other challenge
in his life, working for the city through his last week. His wife called
on Friday and said Charlie had a fever and she had to take him to the
hospital.
Charlie touched the lives of many people in this
community, and he will be missed.
Peter Lenz, AIA
Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects.
All rights reserved.
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