Charles Eugene Love of Malibu passed away peacefully at the age of 92, February 10, 2013. Charlie was born to parents, Charles Love and Grace Ethel (Walsh) Love on Oct. 29, 1920.
He grew up in Alameda and displayed his gifts of creativity, intelligence and scientific curiosity at an early age. One favorite family story recounts how at the age of 13, he built and operated his own ham radio. Enthused with the world of technology and engineering, yet too young to drive, he would walk approximately eight miles from his home in Alameda to Oakland’s Tech High every week to participate in the local Amateur Radio Club.
Charlie’s love for learning led him to attend UC Berkeley from 1938-42, where he met and fell in love with Holly Emberg, the woman with whom he spent the rest of his life. The couple married on Nov. 9, 1943, just before Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country during WWII. Recognizing Charlie’s talents, the Armed Forces sent Charlie to MIT, Yale and Harvard to study the then-emerging field of radar and infrared technology. It was during this time that Charlie had the opportunity to crew one of the first aircraft surveys of Antarctica.
After the war, Charlie worked for Hughes Aircraft Company, furthering the field of aerospace technology. There has always been an element of intrigue surrounding Charlie’s career, as his projects were usually slated as classified. He wasn’t allowed to discuss his work with anyone, including Holly, and stories of working in a ‘locked vault’ kept his family’s imagination spinning.
In 1959, Charlie and Holly made a home for themselves and their family atop a hill in Malibu, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was here that they proudly raised two children, Martin and Janice.
Charlie was a humble man and would never boast of his accomplishments, but we all knew they were far and great. He had a quiet wit that could crack up a room, but he was also tender and thoughtful and always generous with his affection. He could sit down at the piano with any piece of music and play it instantly and beautifully. He crafted jewelry, built his own television, and ran the LA Marathon as a senior.
Charlie often read novels aloud to his wife and finished most dinners with a bowl of ice cream. He loved math puzzles, mysteries, nature, chocolate, Mexican beer and above all else, his family and friends. In his later years, one of his favorite pastimes was simply sitting with Holly next to the large picture window in their living room. He would drink coffee and read every corner of the newspaper; front to back, and watch the local birds collect on the many feeders over his patio.
Charlie is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Holly; his son, Martin and his partner Pat; his daughter, Janice and her husband, Keith; his grandchildren, Allie and her husband, Arthur, Leslie, Sarah and Emma; his great grandchildren, Jack and Reddman and countless friends.
