Norfolk- Charles Steuart Merriam II, Lt. Col. (Ret.), 78, of Norfolk, died peacefully on Monday, July 24, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Clark Lee Shuff Merriam; son Charles Steuart Merriam III (Trooper), his wife Mandy, grandson Charles Steuart Merriam IV of Seattle, WA; sisters, Frances Merriam Lowe of Fayette, AL; Lorna Lee Merriam Johanson and her husband Alden of Felton, CA.

Born December 29, 1938, in Charleston, WV, Charles was the son of the late Ruth Geraldine Barrett and Charles Steuart Merriam, Lt. Col. (Ret.). He graduated from the American School in Frankfurt, Germany, and Bullis School in Silver Spring, MD. He received his Bachelor’s degree and commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, in 1962. He served in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and the Air Medal. In 1969, he earned an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and returned to West Point as an instructor in the Department of Mechanics. He subsequently served in Taiwan; at Fort Riley, KS; at CINCLANT Norfolk, VA, and Fort Polk, LA. He worked in OTEA (Operational Test & Evaluation Agency) in Falls Church, VA, and completed his military career at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk where he retired in 1988 with numerous lifetime commendations and meritorious awards.

In 1990, he joined the staff of Norfolk Academy, teaching physics until his retirement in 2014. He received the 2011 Yale Educator Award which “recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to achieve at high levels.” His dedication to teaching and learning led to repeated trips to Zambia, China, Switzerland (CERN) and major research laboratories throughout the US. His pride in the complexity, abilities and accomplishments of the young men and women he knew was boundless.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, July 27, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 7400 Hampton Boulevard, followed by a reception at Norfolk Yacht & Country Club. A Committal Service with military honors will be held at the United States Military Academy at a later date. Contributions in Charles’s memory may be made to Norfolk Academy, 1585 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502.