Dr. Charles A. Lynn
Toolbox
Published: April 3, 2009
MILLTOWN, N.J. — Dr. Charles A. Lynn of Milltown, N.J., passed away at Care One in East Brunswick on April 1, 2009.
He was 91 years old, born December 11, 1917, in Proctor, Vermont, the son of John (Ilinsky, Elynecki) Lynn (marble artisan worked on many D.C. monuments) and Anna Pechnow Lynn. He was a graduate of Proctor High School in 1937 where he played varsity basketball. Charles first worked as the personal groundskeeper and eventual good friend to the owner of the Vermont Marble Co. and Vermont governor, Mortimer Proctor.
A graduate of Duke University in 1941 with a B.S. in chemistry, cum laude, Phi Kappa Sigma, he was one of the last surviving members of the 1938 "Iron Dukes" who went undefeated, untied and un-scored-upon for a regular season to the Rose Bowl as a halfback. He earned a master degree in explosives chemistry from Duke in 1942.
He was employed by the U.S. government at the Radford Ordnance Works in Virginia, working on high explosive compounds, focused charges and tracer rounds for fighter planes. He was later employed by American Cyanamid, DuPont and Hercules, and developed dyes used for sea rescues for airmen and sailors.
In 1945, he left the chemical field for medicine and in 1949, received his D.D.S. degree and Gold Medal for Operative Proficiency from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland. After an oral surgery residency in Jersey City, Dr. Lynn opened an office on George Street in New Brunswick and married Gloria Weyman in 1953. He practiced until being inducted into the Army Dental Corps during the Korean War, serving at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. After being honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant, he reopened his practice in Milltown where he and Gloria worked in private practice, as the school dentist and on the Milltown Board of Health as president. They raised their three children, Barbara Ann, Charles Jr. and John William, retiring in 1992.
Dr. Lynn was a prolific photographer, historian, avid gardener, accomplished carpenter, successful hunter (establishing the Pico-Killington Hunt Club), and built several houses in Vermont and New Jersey with his father, including the current dental office. He was a staunch Duke Alumni supporter (president of the state chapter), member of the Milltown Masons, Lions Club and communicant of St. Paul's Church of Christ in Milltown. He was a life member of the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association and the Middlesex County Dental Association. An avid skier, he was part-owner of Pico Peak from 1965 until it became part of Killington. None of these compared to his love of animals, especially the many Siberian husky dogs that were cherished pets. He was often photographed riding in his open convertible with them.
Predeceased by his parents; a brother, John Kurt; a sister, Ann Schroeder; a daughter, Barbara Ann Hrapsky; a grandson, Nicholas Charles; his cousin and fellow dentist, Dr. John Kapitan; and nieces, Dee Inlicki Berardi and Janet Ilnicki Adamko; he is survived by his wife of 55-1/2 years, Gloria Weyman Lynn; two sons, Dr. Charles Lynn Jr. and his wife Joanie of Milltown, N.J., and John William Lynn of Howell, N.J.; a son-in-law, Dr. Jeffrey Hrapsky; five granddaughters, Beth Ann, Megan, Amber, Mary Catherine and Kristin Nicole Lynn; also survived by two great-grandchildren; a cousin, Richard D. Ilnicki from Dayton, N.J.; several cousins and many friends.
The family will receive friends at the Bronson & Guthlein Funeral Home of Milltown, Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services are Monday 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Entombment in Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick, N.J. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul's Church, 62 South Main St., Milltown, NJ 08850, and would be appreciated.
www.bronsonandguthleinfh.com
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