Charles D. Adams

Charles D. Adams, 90, of Newark, Delaware, peacefully passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Born in Le Mars, Iowa, on October 12, 1935, he was one of three sons of the late C. Herbert and Alice (DeWitt) Adams. Charlie was a graduate of Ames High School where his father was the principal. Following high school, he graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa. He then received his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota. It was at the University that he met his future wife, Phyllis Sorensen, the sister of a college classmate.  They were married for 65 years until his death.

Charlie and Phyllis relocated to Delaware in 1962 where he began his career at DuPont and they began a family, welcoming two sons. 

After a successful career with DuPont, Charlie retired in 1998 as a Research Fellow. However, Charlie had little use for the idle life style. In retirement, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the trail maintenance crew for the White Clay Preserve. There were also many travels, but his favorite was riding a float plane into the Northwest Territories to canoe. He amused his family with tales of being in the midst thousands of caribou and the spartan lifestyle. He also said one of the greatest pleasures of his life was sitting in the Conductor’s Circle at the Kimmel, listening to Handel’s Water Music.

Always athletic, Charlie continued throughout his life to engage in athletic and fitness activities, following a pattern set in high school when he played right guard on the football team. The Des Moines Register once described him as “165 lbs of fury.” Charlie was an avid biker and enjoyed riding on the scenic trails he helped build. He also enjoyed photography, luring hummingbirds to the backyard feeder, and a Guinness when all that was done.

Most of all he was a “cool” Grandpa who was always ready to share something new with a curious grandchild.  As they grew older, his grandchildren reveled in his dry wit, admired his custom-made mechanical contraptions, and were continually impressed at his physical fitness, grit, and determination.

Charlie was predeceased by his parents as well as his brothers, Steve and Jim. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis (Sorensen) Adams; his two sons, Daniel (Susan) Adams and Thomas Adams (Kathy); his grandchildren, Ben Adams (Cathy), Gordon Adams (Sam), Sarah Adams (Nate) and Caroline Adams (Mattheos); his step-granddaughter, Elle Kaura (Max); his great grandchildren, Lily, Skyler, Fynn, Layne and Cole; as well as several nephew and nieces.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek, on Friday, June 26, from 11:00AM - 12:00PM with funeral services immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Charlie may be made to White Clay Creek Preserve, c/o Friends of White Clay Creek State Park, PO Box 9734, Newark, DE 19714-9734. 

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