Charles Blondell Atwater
November 2, 1939 to December 29, 2025

Charles B. Atwater was born in Springfield, MO to Joseph and Florence Atwater. He graduated in from Central High School in Springfield, Missouri in 1957.  He obtained a bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1960, and he obtained a master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1962. He was married to Marilyn Anne Offutt in 1962.  He then worked in Richmond, VA (DuPont), Springfield, MO (Hoffman-Taff), and Asheville, NC (Northrop).  Charles and Marilyn had a son, Charles Robert, in 1965, and a daughter, Julie Ann, in 1969. They moved back to Springfield to stay in 1971 where he worked for Syntex in Technical Management positions until his retirement in 1994. While at Syntex he obtained a MS degree in Engineering management at the University of Missouri – Rolla, and he taught night courses in Chemistry at Southwest Missouri State University and at Drury College. Upon retirement he consulted for the next ten years in the areas of printed wire board manufacturing, hazardous chemical manufacturing, FDA and EPA regulatory compliance and product development.

Charles is survived by a son Charles R. Atwater (Rob) and wife Nancy of Lee's Summit, MO; a daughter Julie Ann Bush and husband Jason and two grandchildren, Abigail L. Bush and Elijah A. Bush, all of Overland Park, KS. his brother Bennett Atwater, of Pacific, MO, along with many nephews and nieces.

Preceding him in death were his wife Marilyn of 63 years, his parents, a sister, Joanita White and her husband John, a brother Jerrold Atwater and his wife Carolyn, and Bennett's wife, Judy.

Charles was a member of Schweitzer United Methodist Church, now Schweitzer Church, since 1971, where he served on various committees and taught Jr. and Sr. High Sunday schools. He also volunteered for Wonders of Wildlife. His hobbies included camping, hunting, fishing, traveling, dirt biking, wood carving, and in his later years model railroading and attending Lady Bear basketball games.

Charles – a/k/a Chuck, Husband, Dad, and Papa- was an amazing person.  Marilyn was the love of his life, and he cared for her dearly through all the joyful and challenging times.  He loved his children and grandchildren and treasured the time spent with them.  He loved to spend time at their lake house at Pomme de Terre where he enjoyed home cooked meals,  boat rides, games, singing, being silly, watching fireworks, fishing, skiing, tubing – all fun and wonderful memories.   Visiting with him included rides in his convertible listing to 50's and 60's music, going to Lake Springfield to feed the ducks, watching Hallmark movies and old western reruns, celebrating holidays, going on walks, sharing endless meals together, visiting his prior residences -  taking a walk down memory lane, eating lots of ice cream, orange slices and snickers,  and going to garage sales, thrift shops and antique stores to find deals on trains for his massive train collection.  Charles lived life to the fullest with his wonderful friends taking trips, going to basketball games, playing games, etc.  Charles was a very loving, intelligent, kind, caring, generous, funny,  and thoughtful man who never wanted to put anyone out or be a burden.  Charles will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Friday, January 9, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral Service will be at Schweitzer Church on Saturday, January 10, 2026, starting at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception.  Burial will be in Maple Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and/or American Cancer Society.