Charles Robert Henry

Charles Robert Henry died April 9, just two months before his 95^th birthday, surrounded by family in his Danville, California home.

Born in Norwood, Massachusetts, Henry headed west to attend the University of California at Berkeley after graduating high school and never looked back. He became a northern Californian, forever after called “Chuck” by family and friends.    

Henry’s studies at Cal were interrupted by World War II. He fought with the U.S. Army’s 100^th Infantry Division in the Vosges Mountains of France. He was wounded in action in November 1944 and honored with the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his service.

After returning to Berkeley, Henry met fellow student Vera Garcia. They married at the campus Newman Club and in January 2018 were joined by their nine children in celebration of their 70^th anniversary.

In 1947 Henry began a career with the University of California Lawrence National Laboratories that spanned more than 45 years - working initially at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory before moving to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory when it opened its doors in 1952. A mechanical engineer by training, Henry worked at locations as far flung as the Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls and the Nevada Test Site. In later years, Henry held managerial positions, retiring from full-time employment as assistant associate director in Physics in 1986, and thereafter working part-time as a consultant on assignment until 1996.

In early retirement, Henry put his engineering skills to good use as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, while perfecting the art of bread baking and taking up running. He and his wife Vera were avid golfers, and in later years Henry worked to maintain a vigorous and physically active life. He never tired of being outside in the California sunshine and was fiercely dedicated to his morning walks and evening exercise routine.  

Henry remained intellectually curious until the very end, constantly reading diverse magazines, dense histories, books on culture, psychology, science, politics as well as fiction. He and Vera maintained close and lasting relationships with many friends, including a cherished band from their Newman Club days, with whom they traveled widely and gathered monthly, well into their 90s, for spirited games of bridge.  

Henry will be remembered for his grit, determination and loyalty, his lifelong dedication to learning and his generosity. Henry lived a self-described “wonderful life” and was profoundly grateful for it, rarely missing an opportunity to improve the circumstances of those less fortunate.    

Survivors include his wife, Vera; their nine children; four grandchildren and two of 10 siblings.

A funeral mass will take place at 10:30 am on June 7 at St. Isadore’s Catholic Church, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville. A memorial reception in the Parish Hall will follow immediately thereafter.