In Memory of Charles A. Garber, PhD.
Dr. Garber was born in Rock Island, Illinois. The founder, President and CEO of Structure Probe, Inc., he earned his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1963, a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Case Institute of Technology in 1965 and a Ph.D. in Engineering (Area of Interest, Polymer Solid State Physics and Materials Science) from Case in 1967. Dr. Garber was world renowned for his work in electron microscopy and polymer physics.
He died at the age 66 after battling a brief illness due to pancreatitis.
He is laid to rest in Rock Island, Illinois. He will always be remembered by his accomplishments, and the people he touched with his smile, humor, and charming ways.
Chuck was a good friend and client. It is still hard to believe that he has passed. I will always remember him as a man of integrity, intelligence and kindness. He will be sorely missed.
Comment by Francis Pileggi — October 1, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
Chuck was a grandee of the microscopy trade show circuit. We had a standing arrangement for a chat each time (usually about the performance of his website….), we’ll miss the banter, Chuck. All the best, from the Microscopy and Analysis team.
Comment by Roy Opie — October 4, 2007 @ 3:49 am
I will miss Chuck greatly. I first met him at an M&M show in 1985 and always looked forward to seeing him at all the shows since and on his tours through Europe. Despite his hawkish demeanour and sometimes brusque style he was always charming, entertaining and ever keen to challenge the status quo. Microscopy is the poorer with the loss of Chuck. I send my sincere condolences to Chuck’s family on their great loss.
Comment by Julian Heath — October 4, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Chuck was the hardest working guy I’ve ever known. Yet he would take time form his hectic schedule to visit with my family for Christmas dinner for several years now. It was a ritual I wish would have continued for the next twenty years. I am a better man for having known Chuck, and he will be missed very much buy my family and I. Until we meet again… We Love You Chuck.
Comment by George Csatari Jr. — October 4, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
Chuck has been a good friend to me and my husband. He and Babszy have always been gracious, generous and hospitable; a terrific team and soulmates. We are deeply saddened by his death and the many losses suffered by Babszy and his family, friends and coleagues. We will miss him. Chuck and Babszy are in our hearts and prayers.
Alav ha’shalom.
Comment by Victoria M. Robinson — October 9, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Chuck came every year to the Annual meeting of the Israel
Microscopy Society, even though we are a tiny organization,
in a location where many are hesitant to come visit.
EVERY YEAR he was our faithful visitor and exhibitor,
supporting our efforts, and contributing to the Society
in many ways.
Chuck was a charming energetic man, and we shared many
conversations and professional discussions.
We at the Israel Society for Microscopy will miss him,
and will remember him as a good friend.
-Sharon Grayer Wolf
Secretary, Israel Society of Microscopy
Comment by Sharon Wolf — October 10, 2007 @ 4:11 am
I first met Chuck almost 30 years ago and many times at different microscope conferences throughout the world. They will be a different meetings without him because he made a difference to the microscope community. He will be missed. I hope that his legacy will include SPI continuing to supply accessories to the world microscope community and that other PhD graduates will see that his career path can be very rewarding. Farewell Chuck!
Comment by Viv Robinson — October 10, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
What a great sadness. I was happy to meet Dr.Garber personally early May 2007 during his visit to Israeli Microscopy Society meeting in Rehovot, Israel, a day before my flight to Moscow. He impressed me as a great man with focused dedication on his microscopy business development, and unique charming personality. While it was a short meeting, he asked me of my science developments, and made important notes on the academic life, scitech and their relationship.
I would like to share my sincere sympathy with members of Dr. Garber SPI’s business team, Charles family, and those who he loved and who loved him.
Let Chuck rests in peace. I will remember him for the rest of my life.
Sincerely,
Alexei Kudinov, MD, PhD, DrSci
neuroscientist, editor
www.israelscholar.org
www.neurobiologyoflipids.org
www.dopingjournal.org
( originally published at Philly.com / legacy.com guestbook for Cherles Garber, September 25, 2007, URL: http://www.legacy.com/Philly/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=94859169 )
Comment by Alexei Koudinov — October 11, 2007 @ 9:45 am
Chuck was a wonderful, witty and wise friend for some 40 years. There are many moments in our talks together that stay with me and have with time become a part of me. My sympathy and condolence to Babsz, and to his colleagues and friends who can no longer share his company even as they cherish their memory of him.
Comment by Charles Brainard — October 18, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
I only met Churck Garber once. I met him through his wife who is an acquaintance. My heart felt prayers go out to her and the family. I am very much saddened by his passing.
Comment by Ginger Kirby — October 22, 2007 @ 9:22 am
I have known Chuck Garber for more than 20 years and was greatly saddened to hear of his passing. I spent a lot of time with Chuck, and his wife Babszy, at microscopy conferences and during the many times our paths crossed throughout the world and truly enjoyed their company. Chuck and Babszy were fixtures in the microscopy community and made it a point to participate in as many conferences as possible. Chuck enjoyed the traveling and the opportunity to share so much of his time with his wife.
Being a frequent traveler had its benefits and Chuck was a master at getting the most bang for his buck. He was always quick to tell me about the suite he had at the Marriott and would want to give me the tour of his unbelievable accommodations. Of course, he took greater pride in letting me know that he only paid $49 for the room!
Chuck was by all accounts quite a character. He was bigger than life in many ways and had something to say on just about any subject. He was always quick to share his opinion – whether I wanted to hear it or not. He shared a lot of opinions with me and I must say that I learned a lot from him. He also shared a lot of his opinions, insights and experience on this listserver which were of great benefit to many – especially the newer microscopists. Chuck was truly a visionary when it came to the business of microscopy. Chuck either recognized opportunities before most anyone else or at least acted on those opportunities more quickly. He worked closely with his customers and learned from them what they needed to make their job easier. He took many ideas from labs where they may have never seen the light of day and made them into commercial realities. Even his fiercest competitors will tell you that Chuck was a brilliant man whose ideas, in many ways, transformed the microscopy business.
There are certainly some who Chuck may have rubbed the wrong way and those who say they would never buy a product from him. Of course, there were many more who would buy a product only from him. He had an incredibly loyal customer base and he valued those relationships. I looked past his boisterous – some might say arrogant – persona and got to know the man beneath it. Chuck was a decent guy with a big heart and he was also a loving and devoted husband. While he loved his business and the microscopy community, there was nothing he loved more than his wife, Babszy. Babszy brought out the best in him and if you took the time to get to know him, you’d know that the best really was pretty good.
I know I am better for having known Chuck and I know that his contributions will continue to benefit the microscopy community for many years to come.
I am proud to have called Chuck my friend and I will miss him.
Chuck, may God welcome you with open arms and may you rest forever in His peace.
David Henriks
(formerly of South Bay Technology, Inc.)
Comment by David Henriks — November 6, 2007 @ 1:48 am
My deep sympathy and sincere condolences to Chuck’s family on their great loss. We at TEKNOLAB Indonesia will miss him,
and will remember him as a good friend
Comment by Sugia and all staff — November 12, 2007 @ 3:34 am
I have known Chuck for the past 19 years. But really got to know him for the past 8. Since the birth of my first child, Domininck. Chuck and Babzy had been coming over our house every Christmas Eve for the past 8 years. He was a gentle giant. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. No matter what they did or said. He always looked at the bright side of things. And gave people the benefit of the doubt. I couldn’t for one second understand his work. You really have to be a brain. And Chuck was gifted with that. But he was the most down to earth person I have ever come across. He made you feel comfortable no matter what. Him and Babzy were some team!!! He loved to eat, and she would nudge him under the table. But he always snuck in the other piece of food. I truly wish I could have gotten to know him longer. I still can’t beleive he is gone. But in light of all of this saddness, I met his sister Naomi and her husband Hershall. They are both great people. And they are good for Babzy. They gave her alot of strength. Thank you both for that. Bye for now Chuck. Always in our thoughts.
Comment by michelle csatari — November 13, 2007 @ 10:34 pm
I appreciated the technical information Dr. Garber sent to me a few years ago. He was extremely helpful. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing.
Comment by Marcia Feinberg — November 29, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
I knew Charles sonce about 15 years; we always met during E.M. congres, conferences, workshop through all the Europe.
we are distributiong in Italy similar products and we time by time bought some items from SPI.
He was always a nice person and a pleasant presence.
Comment by Marco Clementi — January 10, 2008 @ 8:21 am
Chuck was a very good mate for more years than I care to remember.
He is sadly missed at all the EM conferences I attend.
I miss you, the whole EM community worldwide misses you.
Rest in peace old friend.
Comment by Steve Wisbey — June 4, 2008 @ 11:42 pm