A descendant of a prominent missionary family, the late “Doctor Charlie” – physician, surgeon, medical historian, scholar, teacher, humanitarian, public servant, churchman, mountaineer, specialist in Polynesia and one of Punahou’s most honored ad beloved graduates – was an excellent athlete.This article appears as originally published in the Summer 1992 issue of the Punahou Bulletin.
While at Punahou he won one letter in football (as center), two letters in track (top high jumper) and two letters in swimming (freestyle sprints and relays). In his year at the University of Hawaii he won two letters in track and swimming. At Yale he played on a winning intramural football team and was on the varsity track and swimming squads – winning two letters.
Returning to Hawaii following graduation from Yale Medical School, Charlie embarked on an extraordinary medical career which took him from Honolulu to Kalaupapa, to American and Western Samoa, and back to Honolulu where his services to Hawaii’s medical and educational institutions and his community activities touched the lives of many people.
One activity which endeared him deeply to scores of Punahou athletes was the time he took from his busy schedule to serve for 17 years as the unpaid doctor for the school’s football team. He was always available also to other sport participants – never charging for his professional care. His wife, Mary (Stacey ’47), dubbed him “Dr. No Charge.” A dedicated Punahou supporter, he rarely missed a football, track or swimming event until the year of his death. Considering the heavy demands of his medical practice and other professional activities, the time he took to serve and support Punahou’s athletic programs was truly remarkable.