Charlie, as a 19-year-old soldier in Vietnam, was shot—and 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 types—from 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.