Charles M. Watkins, 85, formerly of Perry Township, Berks County, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at The Manor at Market Square, Reading, where he resided.

Charles is survived by his children: Joel Watkins Shaffer, wife of Curtis Shaffer, Bend, Oregon; John Clair Watkins, husband of Heather Watkins, Fleetwood; and Brian Andrew Watkins, husband of Lisl Shoda, Menlo Park, California; and four grandchildren: Alex, Evan, Kadence and Devan. He is also survived by his siblings: Mark Wilmot, Lee R. Wilmot, Dwight A. Wilmot, David Wilmot; and Alice E. Wilmot Squires. Charles was predeceased by his siblings: James C. Watkins and Dorothea C. Watkins Marcy.

Chuck was born May 16, 1940, to John Clair Watkins and Lawrene (Schuler) Watkins Wilmot on the South slope of the South peak of Elk Mountain, as the second oldest of three Children: Older brother Jim and younger sister, Dorothea. His Father died in August, 1942, from tuberculosis, at the age of thirty-two. His Mother remarried, in 1946, to Ralph O. Wilmot, which resulted in the family expanding to include four other brothers, Mark, Lee, Dwight, and David, and a sister, Alice.

Chuck's formal schooling began in the one-room school house in Elkdale, and continued from first grade through the first half of fifth grade. The second half of fifth grade through eighth grade was at the, then, new school in Clifford. He attended Harford High School (Now part of Mountain View High School) from 1954 - 58. He played basketball under Coach Julius Prezelski and enjoyed playing on a team that beat both Montrose and Elk Lake in the same year (may still be a record). He was a member of the track team and competed in the high jump, 440, and mile relay team. Chuck was active in FFA: Engaged in judging contests; showing cattle; and competing with the parliamentary procedure team.

In his senior year he was FFA President and Senior Class President. After high school, Chuck joined the U.S. Marine Corps, for a three-yearenlistment. This involved boot camp at Paris Island, infantry training at Camp LeJune, and ending up at the Marine Base in Twenty-Nine Palms, California. He was assigned to an anit-aircraft artillery unit and studied radio communications. His first Marine duty assignment in communications was with the First Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) on Oahu, Hawaii. The nations of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) at that time had land troops but no naval forces or air power. ANGLICO members were assigned to SEATO military groups to be the communications link between the SEATO's need for naval gunfire or air power to support their land troops. A special duty assignment resulted in Chuck being on the 38" parallel, in Korea, with South Korean troops,at a time when the Korean War armistice expired and attack was expected from the North. On another special duty assignment he spent two weeks on a Nationalist Chinese ship, patrolling the Formosa Strait at a time when there was fear that the Communist Chinese were going to launch an attack against the Nationalist Chinese. Between special duty assignments, while on Oahu, Chuck played basketball and football (offensive and defensive end) for ANGLICO teams. It was on Oahu that he first learned to play tennis. Chuck ended Marine Corps duty as a Corporal E-4.

Chuck obtained a bachelors and masters degree in philosophy at Penn State and was hired as an Instructor in Philosophy by the Altoona Campus of Penn State in 1964, and taught there for nine years. He then accepted a teaching position at Kutztown University and taught there for twenty-five years, retiring as Professor Emeritus in Philosophy, in 1995.

While at the Altoona Campus,Chuck met his former spouse Arleen Joyce Bickel, an assistant professor of mathematics. Three children resulted from their marriage. Chuck's later former spouse was Christine Vaccaro who worked for the County of Berks as an adoption employee.

While at Kutztown University, Chuck coached tennis for ten years and inaugurated a Southern tour during the annual spring break. Many of the players who went on these Southern tours say that it was the highlight of their college careers and they still hold an annual reunion. During this time he also opened a Tennis shop called "Tiebreaker".

Chuck's interest in law began in High School but was only able to be acted upon in 1984 when he had a full-year sabbatical from his teaching position. He began attending law school at the University of Idaho. It took him six years to complete law school because, at the time, he was a single parent with three children in college. Completing his law degree included commuting to Dickinson during the college year, while also teaching full time, and studying law for three summers at the University of Utah. In March, 1986, Chuck began doing research and writing for Paul R. Ober & Associates, a law firm in Reading, Pennsylvania. In December, 1990, he became a member of the Bar in Berks County, Pennsylvania and became a partner in the law firm of Paul R. Ober Associates. Chuck has since practiced in at least ten counties in Pennsylvania, including Susquehanna, Wayne, Bradford, Tioga and Wyoming, and was a member of the bar of the Eastern and Middle Federal District Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Chuck was proud to have won cases before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

For eight years, 1992 to 2000, Chuck was on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania (PPNEP) and was President of the Board the last two of those years.

Chuck was an avid athlete and hobbyist. His passions included horticulture, hunting, archery, woodworking, tennis, racketball, football, reading, beekeeping, and traveling.

Treat others as you wish to be treated, not as they treat you. Chuck has always been a teacher and encouraged people to reach for their dreams, as was evident in his high school Commencement Address: Don't sell yourself short by making decisions which limit your potential and your opportunities. Don't assume that you are unable to do something or that others are inherently more qualified or smarter than you are. Trust that your brain is capable of accurate analysis and that it can guide you to worthwhile conclusions. But don't be so pompous and arrogant that you are incapable of making corrections to your analysis when presented with the relevant evidence. Aim high: Don't dream of being vice president.

A celebration of Charles' life will be held at a later date. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Leesport is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com