Charles Albin Klinger, 86, entered into eternal rest on January 22, 2025 in Charleston, SC. Charlie was born May 6, 1938 in Charleston, the son of Albin and Hertha Klinger, and grew up on Johns Island, SC. Charlie’s Swiss-German parents and his education and business career, influenced his lifelong love of people, world affairs, and history.
Charlie graduated from St. John’s High School and was awarded the Star of the West scholarship, a 4-year full scholarship to The Citadel. He was in the A Company and as a cadet, “wore Gold Stars, was a Distinguished Military Student, a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Round Table, and Yacht Club, editor of the Sphinx, president of the Westminster Fellowship, vice president of AUSA, held the rank of lieutenant, and his name appeared in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.” (Alumni News magazine, Winter 1989) He graduated with pride from The Citadel, Class of 1960.
Following college, Charlie went to Germany on a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Freiburg and married his lifelong love, Marion Robinson of James Island, SC. Returning to the US to the University of Pennsylvania, he completed an MBA at the Wharton School on a Woodrow Wilson Scholarship.
He served in the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant and then joined the IBM Corporation for 30 years, advancing through the ranks to retire as European Director of Public Sector Marketing. Charlie then became CEO of Medifax Corp. and retired a second time in 1998.
Charlie met his wife, Marion at a church camp in 1954 when they were teenagers. Married in Germany in 1961, they began their married life with an extended tour of Europe, kicking-off a lifetime of travel, learning and love of history. The joy of his life was their 4 daughters, who each completed their college degrees. His eldest daughter earned her MBA at The Citadel and several girls studied abroad, inheriting his love of travel. Charlie and Marion managed to see most major cities of Europe, Asia and beyond. They also loved boats, learned to sail, and boated around the world. During their 63 years of marriage, they lived in 3 countries, 12 cities and 13 different homes together.
Throughout the years, Charlie enjoyed keeping in touch with classmates, especially his many lifelong Citadel friends. He returned to campus often, bringing his children and grandchildren, and was active in alumni activities wherever he lived. He served in many alumni roles and was elected president of The Star of the West Association and served as co-chair for Atlanta’s General Mark W. Clark Campaign for The Citadel Tomorrow.
Retiring to Johns Island in 1999, Charlie embraced his love for The Citadel. He guest lectured on international business and foreign careers, helped prepare cadets for postgraduate scholarship competition and more. His greatest pride was the founding of the cadet summer abroad study program, which has sent over 200 cadets to study in foreign universities in 15 years. In 2011, Charlie was recognized for his contributions to The Citadel with an honorary doctorate degree.
Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Marion and 4 daughters, Marian “Mellie” Klinger of Charleston, Catherine “Kitty“ Klinger (Don Ellis) of Meggett, SC, Caroline Starnes (Mark) of Charlotte, NC and Patricia Burke (Robert) of Belmont, NC, and 4 grandchildren, MaryCharles and Bobby Burke, Charles David Klinger, and Ian Ellis.
Charlie’s relentless sense of humor will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him. He will be remembered for his sharp mind, quick wit, expansive conversations, business expertise, interesting adventures, and loyal friendships. He was a devoted husband, loving father, generous friend and a genuine man who never met a stranger. His cup (of wine) was always half-full. “Continued happy travels to you! Sail on, Charlie!”
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM at The Citadel in Mark Clark Hall, 3 Avenue of Remembrance, Charleston, SC 29403 in the Buyer Auditorium. A reception will follow the service at the same location, until 5:30 PM. Charlie will be laid to rest in The Citadel Columbarium.
In memory of Charlie, flowers may be sent for the service to J. Henry Stuhr, 232 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401 or make a gift in his memory to The Citadel Foundation (The Star of the West Summer Study Scholarship, The Citadel Fund or the Star of the West Scholarship) athttps://foundation.citadel.edu/donate or 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409.