Devoted Husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Charles Joseph Noel, 87, of Lake Frederick, VA passed away suddenly on the evening of September 29, 2020.

He was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 14, 1933 to the late Joseph R. and Veronica P. Noel. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Joseph M. Noel. He left behind the love of his life, his wife for nearly 64 years, Ann Lawler Noel. Also reeling from his sudden passing are his five sons, Michael (Kim); Christopher (Suzie); Timothy (Victoria); Patrick and Joseph. He leaves behind eight grandchildren: Lauren Prosch (Scott), Jessica Gambino (Ryan), Nicholas Noel, Jacquelyn Noel, Abigail Noel, Timothy Noel, Sarah Noel, and John Noel and one great-grandson, Kellan Prosch.

Charley also left behind many admiring nieces and nephews, cousins and countless others he had helped along his journey. If it was drivable Charley & Ann attended most family events including weddings and other important milestone events in the lives of their extended family. They became the bridge between several generations of the Noel and Lawler families. In a sense Charley was the patriarch of his extended family; all are feeling the loss of Uncle Charley.

Charley was a graduate of West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, PA and was graduated from Villanova University. As a National Science Foundation Scholar, he attended the University of Notre Dame where he received a doctorate (PhD) in physical chemistry. He started his career in industry working for DuPont Chemical and then Rohm & Haas Chemical.

He began teaching part-time at Villanova where he renewed his passion for academics and teaching. This led him to make a monumental career change as he became a full-time academic on his way to becoming a full professor. He taught at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, prior to stints at the University of Vermont, Virginia Tech, the University of Georgia and finally at The Ohio State University. Charley taught at OSU for 17 years before he retired at age 72. Many may not know that late in his career he spent three summers working on solid rocket fuels for the United States Air Force at JPL Labs, Edwards Air Force Base in California. His physical chemistry background actually led him to become a part-time rocket scientist! After retiring from OSU, he found he was not quite done with teaching and he taught some classes and labs at Shenandoah University well into his mid-seventies. All along the way, he advised hundreds of undergraduate students and directed many Doctoral and Master’s degree candidates towards completion of their dissertations in Textile Chemistry; and he won numerous awards for teaching excellence.

Charley was above all else, a devoted father and husband. He was deeply in love with his constant companion, his wife, his Ann. He was a devout Catholic and a prayerful man. He absolutely delighted in his children and grandchildren. Charley had one of the sharpest minds and had a voracious appetite for reading and puzzles; especially enjoying the New York Times crossword puzzles (in ink!). He was also an avid golfer. He never met a stranger and was one of the kindest souls on the planet. He thoroughly enjoyed stimulating conversation and loved telling stories. The light in the world grew just a bit dimmer this week with his passing. His loss is a huge void for all who loved him, none more so than his Ann.

Charley was memorialized on 3 October in a private Mass of the Resurrection, attended by his immediate family. The family will host a Celebration of Life to be held on a future date when we can all gather. The Noel family thanks you for your prayers and support during this time of grief.

Charley will be interred in the columbarium at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Leesburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one Charley’s favorite charities, The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Support can be sent to BRAFB.org