Charles C. Heald, obituary

Mon, 09/07/2020 - 5:15pm

ROCKLAND — Charles “Charlie” Clark Heald, 82, died September 2, 2020, at Pen Bay Medical Center.

He was born in Camden, Maine on February 14, 1938 and was the son of Wilmont and Katherine (Thomas) Heald. He graduated from Camden High School in 1956 and from the University of Maine (Orono) with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1960. At the end of his sophomore year at UMaine, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Mary Ames of Camden, and they had 48 wonderful years of marriage until her death in 2006.

In 2009 Charlie married Barbara “BJ” Marsh.

After graduating from UMaine, Charlie was immediately hired by Ingersoll-Rand in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, as a mechanical engineer. At the beginning of his career he designed several successful lines of single and multistage pumps for the Cameron Pump Division of Ingersoll-Rand. Those designs are still in use to this day. He spent the next 35 years working his way up the corporate ladder, gaining knowledge and experience as he took on roles of increasing responsibility. Later in his career he served as manager of Engineering (twice) and chief engineer before becoming the first Engineering Fellow for the division. He represented Ingersoll-Rand for over 40 years on various American Petroleum Institute (API) committees setting standards for all the pump types used in that industry and beyond. He received a resolution of appreciation from the API in 1995.

Charlie was the editor of the Cameron Hydraulic Data Book as well as a contributing editor for the third and fourth editions of the Pump Handbook, long-established as the leading guide in the industry for pump design and application. He was also the author of several technical articles and the holder of several patents pertaining to pumps. He was considered an icon and a worldwide expert in the pump industry and he was a great mentor of the younger engineers in the company.

Outside of work, Charlie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor and a friend to all who knew him. After his well-deserved retirement, he was self-employed as a consultant to companies in the industry he commanded. His greatest joys came from spending time with his family. The annual family reunion picnics at the lake over the 4th of July, slow boat rides and fishing on Megunticook Lake for his ever elusive “Walter,” occasionally trying to dislodge a grandchild from their tube as he dragged them around the lake behind his boat, and candle pin bowling every Tuesday morning with friends.

In later years he and BJ toured the United States, cruised the Hawaiian Islands and travelled to the UK and Ireland. He attended his monthly class lunches that kept him in touch with his high school classmates and later joined BJ at her church home, Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Rockland. Charlie served on many boards over the years for the Palmer Moravian Church, John Street United Methodist Church, The Talbot Home and the Maplewood Cemetery. He enjoyed singing in church choirs since his high school days.

Charlie was predeceased by his first wife, Mary; brother, Douglass Heald; sisters Kathleen Heald and Barbara Haining; brothers-in-law Leslie Ames and Fred Haining; sisters-in-law Nellie Hart and Faith Ames; and great-granddaughter Bailey Heald.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Marsh; his children, Alan Heald of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, Jeff (Cherie) Heald of Endicott, New York, and Nancy (Fred) Jamann of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; grandchildren: Jason (Jean) Heald and their children Colby, Abbey and Daniel of Bangor, Pennsylvania; Cliff (Sarah) Heald and their children CJ, Landen, Caidee and Carter of Palm Coast, Florida; Melissa (Joe) Fiori and their sons, Dominic and Vincenzo of Endwell, New York; Tiffany Seydl and her son, Damian of Hellertown, Pennsylvania; Ashley Hooks and her daughters, Eva and Lyla of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Kevin Heald of Johnson City, New York; and Jenna and Hayden of Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

He is also survived by BJ’s children, Michael Marsh of Rockland, and his children, Michael, Henry, Anthony and Philomena and grandchildren, Roland and Maya; Kim Fotorny of Rockland, and her daughter, Kallan; Mark Carhart of Rockland, and his son, Keith. Also surviving is his brother-in-law, John Hart of Camden.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Pen Bay Medical Center who took such good care of Charlie in the few days he spent there.

Due to the COVID restrictions, a private family graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an organization dedicated to Dementia and Alzheimer’s research.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.