Charles Albin Klinger

Charles A. Klinger, 1938-2025 (Charleston, SC)

Charles Albin Klinger, 86, entered into eternal rest on January 22, 2025 in Charleston, SC. Charlie was born May 6, 1938 in Charleston and grew up on Johns Island, SC. Charlie’s business career, education, and Swiss-German parents influenced his lifelong love of people, world affairs, and history. He graduated from St. John’s High School and was awarded The Citadel’s Star of the West scholarship, graduating Citadel’s class of 1960. Following college, he 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.

 Charlie served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lt. and then joined the IBM Corporation for 30 years, advancing through the ranks to retire as European Director of Public Sector Marketing. He then became CEO of Medifax Corp. and retired a second time in 1998.

Charlie and Marion met as teenagers at a church camp in 1954 and they married in 1961 in Freiburg. They began their married life with a 3-month tour of Europe, kicking-off a lifetime of travel and love of history and learning. During their 63 years of marriage, they lived in 13 different homes, 12 cities and 3 countries together. The joy of his life, their 4 girls, prospered in changing homes and schools, and each completed their college degrees, with several studying abroad or earning advanced degrees.

 To say Charlie and Marion loved traveling is an understatement. They managed to see most major cities of Europe, Asia and beyond. They also loved boats, learned to sail, and boated in the Mediterranean, Aegean, English Channel and Charleston Harbor. In later years, they enjoyed transatlantic cruise ship crossings.

 Retiring to Johns Island in 1999, Charlie embraced his great passion for The Citadel. He guest lectured on international business and foreign careers. He worked to prepare cadets for postgraduate scholarship competition and the honors program. 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 the last 15 years. Charlie was recognized for these contributions to The Citadel in 2011 with an honorary doctorate degree.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Marion; and four 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 and double entendre-style 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, and generous friend and a genuine man who never met a stranger. His cup (of wine) was always half-full. “Continued happy travels to you, our husband, father, and friend. 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. 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 Funeral Home, 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) at https://foundation.citadel.edu/donate or 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409.