Charles A. Spencer

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY


Following graduation, I attended Kent State and Ohio State Universities, pursuing a pharmacy degree curriculum. Unfortunately my pursuit was interrupted by the Vietnam “conflict.” Financially unable to remain in school on a full-time basis to complete my degree, I had to take courses on a part-time basis while working full-time as a pharmacy intern. This didn’t sit well with my draft board. Facing being drafted in the mid-sixties, I chose, instead, to enlist in the U.S. Navy. At my request and due to my background in the health care field, I was trained as an enlisted hospital corpsman. I was eventually assigned to duty in Vietnam in direct support of marine combat units near Da Nang. Although I lost many friends and fellow corpsmen during this conflict, I was fortunate enough to survive relatively unscathed.

I chose to remain on active duty beyond my initial enlistment due to my intense interest in my work and the potential to advance to officer status. I was selected for a commission in 1972 and promoted to Ensign, Medical Service Corps, USN. This “sealed the deal” for me to make this career my life’s work. I was able to complete my baccalaureate degree and a graduate degree in Health Care Administration and I wound up spending a thirty year career as a Naval Officer and Military Health Care Administrator.

One of my last assignments was to serve as the Senior Military Medical Planner at the site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Office Building bombing in Oklahoma City in April of 1995. It was my mission to work with the Public Health Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate any military medical assets that were required to support the rescue and recovery efforts. I retired from active duty as a Commander in 1996.

I am thoroughly enjoying retirement now and currently reside in northeast North Carolina with my wife, Betty, to whom I have been married since 1975. We have two daughters and each of them have presented us with a granddaughter. As many of you know, grandchildren are a source of great joy to us and we enjoy their visits immensely! I look forward to resuming long dormant friendships this Fall back in Kent!