Posted on 02/08/2018
CAPTAIN RICHARD NOEL CHARLES USN (RET.)
Born November 20, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan, Richard Noel Charles was the son of the late Rene and Reginald Charles. He was raised in Huntington Woods, MI, graduating from Berkley High School in 1951. He attended Wayne University for one year before he received his senatorial Naval Academy appointment in 1953. While a midshipman, Dick was a member of the fencing team, the editor of Trident magazine, and a company commander of the 4th company in his first-class year. Dick graduated from the USNA on June 7, 1957 and married Janice Ann Curry of Pittston, PA June 9,1957. His 30-year naval career included surface and diesel submarine forces for two years. In 1959 he was selected by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover to join the competitive nuclear program, wherein he served for 28 years as a nuclear submariner. He had three commands; the USS Parche SSN 683, a fast attack Sturgeon class submarine for which he also oversaw the construction, the USS Orion AS-18 a Fulton class submarine tender, and Defense and Naval attach in Rome at the American Embassy. The USS Parche and her crew received over its 30-year career, 9 Presidential Unit Citations, 10 Navy Unit Commendations, and 13 Navy Expeditionary medals. It remains the most highly decorated vessel in naval history. During his career as Defense Attach, he was awarded an honorary knighthood from the Italian government for his work during the mid 1980s Libyan crises. A second career followed with Philadelphia Electric Company at their nuclear division in Valley Forge, PA. After 30+ years on the move, Dick and Janice put down roots in Fairhope, AL. In "retirement" Dick realized his true calling was community service. He served as a senior warden of the Vestry of St.Francis Tradition Episcopal Church, and served on the Board and was President of the Mobile Navy League. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission of Fairhope and was Vice President of the Rock Creek Community Association, liaising with the city. He served as chairman of the New Member Committee (NMC) of the Fairhope Rotary from 2006-2014. During his rotarian service, he was awarded the Benjamin Barnhill Community Service Award in 2003 and the L.E.Rockwell Memorial Meritorious Service Award in 2015. He is survived by his wife Janice Charles of Fairhope, AL, sister Carol Ann Garza of Detroit, MI, daughters Anne Richelle Charles of Salt Lake City, UT, Kendra Charles Garrett of Huntsville, AL, Kimberly Noelle Charles of San Francisco, CA and Nicole Charles Malks of Katy, TX and his grandson John Cameron Malks. A lifelong lover of all creatures great and small, on behalf of their husband and father, the Charles family would appreciate donations to Baldwin Humane in honor of Richard Noel Charles at Baldwin County Humane Society 22886 U.S. 98 C Fairhope, AL 36532 or to the ASPCA. Memorial services are planned for 10 AM on April 14th at St.Francis at the Point church in Pt. Clear, AL.
Published in the Mobile Register and Baldwin County on Feb. 9, 2018