On April 20, 2011 Charles F.W. Anderson died at the age of 95. Born in Baltimore on September 7, 1915 he witnessed an America in which iceboxes, a lack of electricity, and working horses were still common. He would become an aerospace engineer who worked on classified projects that extended our reach into the future. His heart was always in Maryland. He took great pride in being a 1939 graduate of Washington College in Chestertown. He lived in Indiana, Seattle, Long Island, New Jersey, and Florida. However, when he and his wife Mary retired, Maryland was the only home for them. First, in Hagerstown where he was active in the Unitarian Church and then the Collington Retirement Center in Mitchellville.

Charlie was an amateur radio enthusiast (NF3X), for over 75 years. He was also a loyal Boy Scout and scout leader devoting his time and energies to the scouting movement. He and Mary volunteered in maintaining the Appalachian Trail. He was a voracious reader going through nearly a book a day for his entire life. He had a formidable memory. Even at the end, he could remember the smallest detail of books he had read, places he had visited, and people he had known.

He was married to Mary McKee Anderson for 51 years until her death, 1947-1999. They shared a mutual love of cats, hiking, reading and travel. After retirement they enjoyed trips abroad with the Smithsonian Institute that Charlie continued after Mary's death.

Charlie is survived by his three children: Dr. George M. Anderson of New Haven, CT, Dr. William B. Anderson of Concord, NC, and Barbara Anderson McBride of Bowie, MD, and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his cat Lucy.

Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (Baltimore beltway exit 26) on Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at which time a Funeral Service will be held. Interment at Druid Ridge Cemetery.