Charles McKee - Obituary

harles Joseph McKee, 86, a resident of Davidsonville, MD, since 1989, formerly of Baldwin, NY, Cinnaminson, NJ and Margate, NJ, died April 14, 2012 at home of complications from congestive heart failure. Born November 6, 1925 in Gloucester, NJ, he graduated from Villanova University in 1950 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering and Graduate Studies in Soil Mechanics and Geomorphology from University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Charles was employed as Vice President of Loughney Dewatering, Inc. from 1979-89; Vice President of Wellpoint Dewatering, Inc. from 1969-79; President and CEO of C.J. McKee Drilling, Inc.; Engineer and General Superintendent of Layne-New York Co, Inc.; Engineer and General Superintendent of Griffin-Wellpoint Corporation; Engineer and General Superintendent of Robert A. Stretch, Inc. and Resident Engineer of Ole Hansen & Sons, Inc. During post-retirement, he worked as Manager for Remedial Construction at ATEC Associates, Inc., Foster Wheeler Environmental Corp., and HARMS, Inc. Charles served in the US Navy, from March 22, 1944 to May 25, 1946 as an Electronic Technician’s Mate, Second Class. As a graduate student at Columbia he studied under Charles V. Theis, PhD, renowned expert in geomorphology (ground-water geology). He was a Licensed Professional Engineer, Master Well Driller, Licensed Water Well Contractor, OSHA Hazardous Waste, Health, and Safety Officer and Supervisor, and Expert witness for construction-related trials with a specialty in dewatering. His fields of expertise were remediation construction and field service operations, ground water cleanup including dewatering wells, product recovery wells, containment systems, and treatment, hazardous materials and waste management. Charles won the Atlantic City Road Race 20 years after his father founded and won the race. He was a serious and accomplished photographer. Charles' memberships included the American Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Annapolis Computer Club, Bowie Photography Club and Holy Family Catholic Church, where he was a Perpetual Adoration Volunteer. He enjoyed photography, computers, traveling and was a lifelong athlete – long distance running, tennis, backpacking, and skiing. He was predeceased by a daughter, Gloria Johnson; five children who died in infancy; and a grandson, Jesse Collis. Charles is survived by his wife Gloria McKee (Sanginiti), whom he married September 9, 1950; his children, Janice Holmblad (John) of Oakton, VA, Joanne Hill (John) of Tuckahoe, NJ, Kathleen Coffey (Larry) of Brandon, FL, Lauren McKee, of Gambrills, MD, Charles J. McKee, Jr. (Tamara); a sister, Catherine Scott Woods of Burlington, NJ; a brother, John McKee, Franktown, CO; five grandsons, Toulouse Lafond, Darrell and Mathew Hill, Darren Holmblad and Charles Moses; five granddaughters, Angela and Lauren Paladino, Marielle and Julianne Holmblad and Nicole Cook; and three great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to Charles' Life Celebration at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD on Saturday, April 21 from 11am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 12pm. Interment, Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Charles J. McKee to Engineers Without Borders-USA, 4665 Nautilus Ct, Suite 300, Boulder, CO 80301 or Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary, 3156 Beards Point Rd., Davidsonville, MD 21035.