Charles Duff

Charles was raised in Oakland, CA, where he graduated from Tech High in January, 1948. During his youth, and after, he enjoyed athletics, Bay Area sports teams, and Bay Area nightlife. Camp Richardson and the south shore area of Lake Tahoe played an important role in his early years; he thought of that region as his second home. He especially enjoyed the summers he spent wrangling horses there during the 1940s.

He was a soldier in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1954, first in the infantry and then in the artillery. He served in Korea with the 75th Field Artillery Battalion as a Forward Observer and Battery Executive Officer.

After his military life, Charles Duff graduated from San Francisco State University (BA, Mathematics) and the University of Utah (MS, Mathematics).

In 1954, Charles was smitten by Marie Dubois of Cheyenne, Wyoming, while Marie was attending Stanford University. Romance followed, and in 1957 they were married in Cheyenne. Marie has been the music in his life ever since. Charles and Marie had two children, son Charlie and daughter Anna Marie (Rie). Both Charlie and Rie made him proud. His children and their activities were a big part of his life during their growing years, and Charles felt secure in their love and friendship always. Marie, Charlie, and Rie survive him.

Charles Duff taught mathematics at SF State University and Washington HS in San Francisco until 1959 when he and Marie moved to Sacramento. In Sacramento, Charles taught briefly at Johnson HS and Burbank HS. He then taught for more than 32 years at Sacramento City College, where he was a three-time chairman of the mathematics department.

He never lost his interest in mathematics; he co-authored two mathematics textbooks: Elements of Trigonometry and Gangbanging Calculus. Neither was very successful — both were fun to write. For many years following his teaching career at SCC, Charles enjoyed volunteer work in the Sacramento area. Teaching the live-in patients at Sacramento Shriner’s Hospital for Children gave him pleasure. Additionally, he was a volunteer worker and longtime financial supporter of Sacramento’s River City Food Bank.

Until the end, Charles enjoyed the beauty and challenges of the Sierra high country, and he championed its preservation. He backpacked and hiked extensively with pals, mostly in the Sierra but sometimes in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains and in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

At various times, he and Marie were involved in running, backpacking, camping, bicycling and Democratic politics. The time spent with Marie and kids at the family cabin in Wyoming’s Snowy Range was dear to him. Automobile touring with Marie in North America and Europe was also important to him. In Europe, Paris was a frequent starting point and was Charles’ favorite city. He returned to Paris often.

Much later in Charles’ life, golf became an irritant.

Always, he loved Marie, his kids, his brother, his long-time pals and teaching colleagues, his dogs, his music, his books, the Cal Bears, the SF Giants and the SF 49ers.

Charles was proud of his smarter younger brother, Billy, of Greeley, Colorado, whom he loved despite differences in politics. He loved his San Francisco cousins — Helen, Bill and Reid Dorwin, Karen and Don Trauthen and family— and all of Marie’s extended family. He enjoyed keeping in touch with lifelong friends from his youth. Over the years, his family grew to include daughter-in-law Mindy and sons-in-law Stephen Brichant and John Calcaterra, as well as four grandchildren. Grandkids Michael Brichant and wife Hollie, Margaret Brichant and husband Daniel, Chas Duff and wife Tessa, and Chelsea Duff have always been a source of pride. They serve as role models for his great-grandchildren: Théo and Merlin, sons of Margaret and Daniel; Chase and Charlotte, children of Chas and Tessa; and Evie, daughter of Mike and Hollie.

Charles was admired by all who knew him and will be remembered for his playful sense of humor, the twinkle in his blue eyes, his sweet smile, his generous and gentle spirit, and his overall warm and welcoming presence.

Charles has requested there be no funeral services for him, nor any other organized celebrations of his life. He would be pleased if friends would sometimes mention his name as they hoisted a glass. Cheers!