Obituaries
Charles Lewis Bittinger, Jr.
( February 20, 1938 - November 11, 2024 )
Our beloved Dad / Pawpaw / Charlie, died on November 11, 2024. He died at rest, in the memory care unit of Abernethy Laurels in Newton, NC. He was 86.
Charlie was born in Statesville, NC on February 20, 1938, to the late Dr. Charles L. and Lola Bittinger. Charlie was raised in Mooresville and in his youth worked as a lifeguard and was a Boy Scout. He graduated from Mooresville High School in 1956. He then attended NC State where he became a lifetime Wolfpack fan. He was an intercollegiate swimmer but eventually gave up swimming to focus on academics. He earned his BS in Electrical Engineering and graduated from NC State in 1960. Charlie worked for Duke Power for the next 35 years. At Duke, he made many life-long friends. He and his transmission team were instrumental in the Hurricane Andrew recovery efforts in 1992. Charlie was a long-time member and Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Mooresville where he worked tirelessly managing a major church renovation.
Charlie took an early retirement from Duke Power and became a full time Pawpaw to his grandchildren. He and his second wife, Janet, lived on Lake Norman and the grandkids would enjoy Pawpaw and Mawmaw’s summer camp—all the cousins swimming, jet skiing, inner tubing, staying up late watching movies, and being spoiled. Charlie and Janet also took the older grandchildren on a cross-country trip to Colorado and back. Charlie kissed the ground when they were all safely home.
Charlie applied his engineering mind to his hobbies and became an accomplished photographer and astronomer. He loved hiking the Balds of Roan Mountain to photograph the wildflowers and vistas. He also enjoyed his hi-fi stereo equipment and would play the 1812 Overture, for anyone willing to listen, at a volume that would make the cannons come to life.
Charlie was predeceased by his wife, Brenda, in 1983 and by his second wife, Janet, in 2016. He is survived by his children: Cynthia Kline (Greg), Carter Drinkard (Brenda), Scott Drinkard (Celeste) and Janna Stein (Michael); his grandchildren: Anthony Drinkard (Angela), Christopher Gray (Sara), Katie Drinkard, Chelsea Lee (Aaron), Connor Drinkard, Louisa Stein, Jacob Stein, and Nathan Stein; and his great-grandchildren: Walker Lee, Conrad Drinkard, Scout Drinkard, Gia Lee, and Willow Lee. He was one of two children and is survived by his sister: Ann White (Mike).
He was an honest, kind, and humble man of character—he will be missed. Go Wolfpack!
A private burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:00 am with Dr. Lia Benton officiating. A celebration of life will be held at Abernethy Laurels’ Spirit Place in Newton, NC at 1:00 pm with Dr. Maria Yocum officiating. Charlie’s family will receive friends following the service at Spirit Place.
Thanks to the Abernethy Laurels community for their support and loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to EveryAge Senior Living (Abernethy Laurels), 103 Leonard Ave. Newton, NC 28658 or the American Cancer Society.
Charlie was born in Statesville, NC on February 20, 1938, to the late Dr. Charles L. and Lola Bittinger. Charlie was raised in Mooresville and in his youth worked as a lifeguard and was a Boy Scout. He graduated from Mooresville High School in 1956. He then attended NC State where he became a lifetime Wolfpack fan. He was an intercollegiate swimmer but eventually gave up swimming to focus on academics. He earned his BS in Electrical Engineering and graduated from NC State in 1960. Charlie worked for Duke Power for the next 35 years. At Duke, he made many life-long friends. He and his transmission team were instrumental in the Hurricane Andrew recovery efforts in 1992. Charlie was a long-time member and Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Mooresville where he worked tirelessly managing a major church renovation.
Charlie took an early retirement from Duke Power and became a full time Pawpaw to his grandchildren. He and his second wife, Janet, lived on Lake Norman and the grandkids would enjoy Pawpaw and Mawmaw’s summer camp—all the cousins swimming, jet skiing, inner tubing, staying up late watching movies, and being spoiled. Charlie and Janet also took the older grandchildren on a cross-country trip to Colorado and back. Charlie kissed the ground when they were all safely home.
Charlie applied his engineering mind to his hobbies and became an accomplished photographer and astronomer. He loved hiking the Balds of Roan Mountain to photograph the wildflowers and vistas. He also enjoyed his hi-fi stereo equipment and would play the 1812 Overture, for anyone willing to listen, at a volume that would make the cannons come to life.
Charlie was predeceased by his wife, Brenda, in 1983 and by his second wife, Janet, in 2016. He is survived by his children: Cynthia Kline (Greg), Carter Drinkard (Brenda), Scott Drinkard (Celeste) and Janna Stein (Michael); his grandchildren: Anthony Drinkard (Angela), Christopher Gray (Sara), Katie Drinkard, Chelsea Lee (Aaron), Connor Drinkard, Louisa Stein, Jacob Stein, and Nathan Stein; and his great-grandchildren: Walker Lee, Conrad Drinkard, Scout Drinkard, Gia Lee, and Willow Lee. He was one of two children and is survived by his sister: Ann White (Mike).
He was an honest, kind, and humble man of character—he will be missed. Go Wolfpack!
A private burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:00 am with Dr. Lia Benton officiating. A celebration of life will be held at Abernethy Laurels’ Spirit Place in Newton, NC at 1:00 pm with Dr. Maria Yocum officiating. Charlie’s family will receive friends following the service at Spirit Place.
Thanks to the Abernethy Laurels community for their support and loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to EveryAge Senior Living (Abernethy Laurels), 103 Leonard Ave. Newton, NC 28658 or the American Cancer Society.
Posted on 13 Nov 2024
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