Charles (Charlie) Atwood Dolbear

Published 12:17 am Friday, December 23, 2011

Mr. Charles (Charlie) Atwood Dolbear, 86, a resident of Well Spring, died peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011. Charlie was born Oct. 11, 1925, in Montgomery, Ala., to the late Joseph and Minnie Dolbear. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII, stationed in the Aleutian Islands.  On Dec. 23, 1946, in Montgomery, Ala., he married Winifred Snell. He was employed by Vanity Fair, General Electric, Campbell and Hall, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Charlie retired from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts and relocated to Washington, where he pursued his life long dream of sailing. Charlie and his wife, Winifred, were involved in the formation and chartering of the Pamlico Sail & Power Squadron. While residing in Washington he was a member of the Washington Yacht and Country Club.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Winifred Snell Dolbear, parents Joseph and Minnie Dolbear, and brother Joseph Browder Dolbear.

He is survived by his children: daughter, Alison Peterson and husband Rich of Groton, Mass.; son, Chuck Dolbear and wife Joanne of Grady, Ala.; son, Bret Dolbear and wife Karen of Madison; daughter, Denise Lovejoy and husband Jerry of Plainville, Mass.; son Eric Dolbear of Grady, Ala.; and seven grandchildren.

A special thank you to the staff of Well Spring for all of their kindness and care of Charlie over the years. We will always be grateful for the extraordinary care provided by the staff of the Well Spring Memory Care Unit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215. Online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com. Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel is assisting the family of Mr. Dolbear.