HIRAM-SEBRING Dr. Charles Lindsey Adams went to his eternal rest on Wednesday November 7, 2018 at the age of 94. Chuck was born December 30, 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia to parents Marshall Browning and Pauline (Lindsey) Adams. His early years were spent moving frequently to accommodate his father’s work, spending no more than two years at a time in a school.
This changed when he moved back to the family home in Kentucky and lived with his paternal grandparents through his high school years. Toward the end of high school, his parents told him they were moving to Garrettsville, Ohio so that he could attend Hiram College. This move set in motion the direction of the rest of his life.
Almost immediately, Chuck met the love of his life, Marjorie Shontz. He was still just 17 when he enlisted in the Army, and he gave her a ring right before he was shipped overseas where he served his country in the European Theater during World War II. He returned to Ohio on December 11, 1945, having spent over 2 ½ years overseas.
Her first question when he called her from New York was “Do you still want to get married? ” On December 21, 1945 he married his sweetheart, a union that lasted 61 years, until her death in 2007. After completing his degree at Hiram in 1948, Chuck and Marge travelled to California where Chuck completed Masters and Doctoral programs in Spanish language and literature at Stanford University.
During that time, his son Richard and daughter Gail were born. He also experienced a calling to serve the Lord that led to his becoming a licensed minister in the Disciples of Christ church. After a brief stop in Illinois, Chuck and family made their way to the College of Wooster where he was an associate professor for 4 years.
He then took a position as a full professor at Hiram College, completing the circle back to Hiram. He was an avid lover of language. Through his academic years he spoke 5 languages fluently, English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German.
He could get by in Portuguese and also dabbled with Hindi and Swahili. During his 30 year tenure at Hiram he became associated with the Institute of European Studies, based in Chicago, and assisted with the formation of overseas study programs in Madrid, Spain, and Rome, Italy. He was instrumental in forming and became Chairman of the Department of Extra Mural Studies at Hiram, which managed all off campus, and particularly overseas study.
His love of travel and language never waned. Through the Institute, the college, or on their own, Chuck and Marge travelled to more than 15 countries on four continents. Chuck and Marge both retired from Hiram College at the end of 1988 and enjoyed 10 years of retirement in Hiram before making the move to Copeland Oaks, which became their home until they each completed their journey on this earth.
The number of people influence by “Doc Adams” never ceased to amaze. The number of cards and remembrances received at Christmas and on other occasions was always overwhelming. He touched many lives.
After moving to the Alliance area, he realized his new doctor was a former student of his. The doctor joked that it was a good thing Chuck had given him an A! Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved Marge, his sister Nancy McCall and brother Marshall Adams, Jr
He is survived by his son Richard (Jessie) Adams of Flower Mound, Texas, daughter Gail (Mike) Mikula of Hiram, Ohio, grandson Jason (Wendy) Adams of Littleton, Colorado, and four great grandchildren, Lauren, Allison, Brayden, and Jackson. He is also survived by step grandchildren, Julianne Mikula of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Scott (Cheri) Mikula of Kent, Ohio, and two step great grandchildren, Ian and Madelyn. Cremation has taken place.
There will be a ceremony at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio where he will receive full military honors conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard Team, assisted by members of Mantua American Legion Post No. 193, following which he will then be interred eternally with Marge. Another memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are by the Green Family Funeral Home & Crematory Service in Mantua where condolences and memories may be viewed at www. greenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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