On the Death of Roger Henri Charlier

OBITUARY FOR ROGER HENRI CHARLIER

When Cary Grant plays your father in a major Hollywood movie about WWII ("I Was A Male War Bride", 1949), it all seems too big for a young boy to grasp. Then, in time, it becomes clear that at the end of the day he's just your Dad and that's how you knew him best. Still, with decades of international accolades, scientific honors, hundreds of publications, military decorations, multiple academic degrees, seven continents visited and seven languages spoken, and appointments at several universities, it’s always right there how much this man has meant not only in your own life but also in the lives of people across our globe.

Many in Chicagoland know him best from years of teaching Earth Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) and taking hundreds of students around our planet to protect our oceans, while giving them an international perspective about the much larger world in which we live.

Born in Antwerp, Belgium on November 10, 1921, my father took his last breaths at age 96 on September 16, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Au revoir mon père. Je suis seul sans toi. Tu me manques.

Roger is survived by me, his son, Jac Charlier, and my children, Jean-Luc, Nina, and Soren. They fondly knew him by the French “Bon Papa.” His daughter is Constance Charlier-Axelrod, and her children are Ceara and Tressa. He was preceded in death by his first wife Catherine, (played by Ann Sheridan) who he will be interned alongside at the US Military Cemetery in Long Island, NY, and his second wife, Patricia, who he will be interned alongside in Minnesota. In Belgium, Marie-Claire remains his eternal companion.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 20 at 5 PM at Christ Lutheran Church, 3253 W. Wilson, Chicago. Immediately following (not at the church) will be a celebration of Roger's life from 6:30 PM until all the Stella Artois, pomme-frites, gaufres (waffles), Leonidas (pralines), and moules (muscles) are gone. Please RSVP for celebration details to: jac.charlier@gmail.com or (773) 266-1420.

Donations to support women veterans may be made to The Women In Military Service For America Memorial.