Good Ol’ Charlie, One of those rare characters you rarely meet in a lifetime and remember with fondness forever.

When I met Monique 25 years ago, he and Carol were among the first of her friends she introduced me to, and the friendship endured dynamically from then on.

Going back to 1998, Charlie should always be appreciated for saving those fortunate enough to see the video of our poolside wedding with Monique’s four sons and the many friends who were there to hear our exchange of vows. If you didn’t hear those vows then, you won’t hear them now … Charlies forgot to switch on the audio while taping the wedding. Consider yourself blessed that you won’t have to listen to my endless rambling.

Charlie and I shared an addiction to golf, he as a golfer and coach, I as a “duffer.” In those days I was playing with a beautiful set of vintage Tommy Armour copper inlaid set of clubs from 1952 handed down to me by my father. Charlie decided to improve my game by giving me a set of clubs stored in his orderly garage. He presented me with a set of 1952 Tommy Armour copper inlaid irons, the duplicate set that I had in my golf bag!

And my final Good Ol’ Charlie memory worth mentioning was that while we visited the Causers in Wisconsin, he introduced me to a new game in the daily paper called Sudoku, which I believe he copied and worked on with passion every day. The version he introduced me to was a big square, which I took to like syrup on pancakes.

We started at the same time, plied away with the same vigor and finished at the same time. He couldn’t believe that I had gotten it that fast, so he checked my work. That’s when he discovered that we had both finished the same puzzle but with the numbers in different order. He chastised me for not doing it right without giving in that my method was different but as correct as his. I don’t think he ever forgave me.

He also saved me lots of money by introducing me to Kirkland 12-year-old Scotch, the same as Chivas Regal costing 30% less.

A curmudgeon with a twinkle in his eye. A memory well worth keeping!