In Memory: Charles “Chuck” Remington, Age 93

In the early hours of December 2, 2024, Charles “Chuck” Remington passed away at the age of 93. The party dimmed upon his absence. Raised in Bronxville NY, he attended DePauw University, married his high school sweetheart, lived in post-war Germany, then Texas, raised a family in Rye NY, and continued on to Cohasset MA, Vermont and Florida. He was predeceased by his wife Joan and son Charles Braddock Remington and is survived by daughter Ruth Remington and son-in-law Henry Blinder, and an impressive number of friends.

Born with an entertainer’s personality, Chuck naturally drew in those around him. If he liked you, he wanted to know your story. Whether joking, flirting, singing or telling tall tales (all true), he strove to find a connection with everyone he met. That he wasn’t perfect was part of his charm. The original bad boy, Joan effortlessly met the challenge, channeling their romance into a well-lived life filled with good friends, close-knit family and wonderful travels.

Chuck’s career began as an office boy at Union Carbide, proceeded to the oil business at Wilson Supply Company in Houston and then to the steel industry, eventually becoming Vice President of Mannesman’s New York office and finally President of Koch Industries’ international carbon division. Whether negotiating with Mexican steel manufacturers, crawling through coal mines in the American South or nightclubbing (as a non-drinker) in Tokyo, his integrity, work ethic and outgoing nature earned him a great reputation and professional success.

An easy athlete, Chuck excelled at almost every sport that involved a ball. Baseball, tennis, squash, platform tennis, golf – the majority of his most enduring friendships began on fields, courts or greens. On summer weekends one might think the only clothes Chuck owned were his worn and yellowed tennis whites. In Vermont, you could often spot him in the morning fog, hurtling down a dirt road in a car just big enough to hold his golf clubs. The countless awards made the attic (Joan’s destination for them) resemble a trophy showroom, but it was the camaraderie he valued most.

In the richly detailed stories Chuck told about his life in his later decades, gratitude was a constant theme. He saw his own story as one guided by a series of kindnesses given to him, and his philosophy on overcoming life’s hurdles could be heard: know yourself, be honest, be interested in others, look up and enjoy what you have.

On one of Chuck’s last days, listening to the music he loved, he rallied to a favorite song his family had heard him sing a thousand times. Nature Boy by Nat King Cole seemed an odd choice, until you paid attention. Smiling, Charles Remington spoke/sang the last verse, twice:

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return

He did. He was.