Charles Aycock Bennett Jr.

Charles (Chuck) Bennett Jr. of Asheville, NC passed away at home on November 29, 2024. He was born at Mission Hospital on December 31, 1952.

Chuck’s family, friends, and colleagues will remember him as a seeker of knowledge and as a

curator of the finer things in life, and for his keen sense of humor.

A graduate of Erwin High School, Chuck received a B.S. (1976), M.S. (1981), and Ph.D. (1982) in physics from North Carolina State University. After receiving his doctorate he joined the physics faculty at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where he spent his entire career, retiring in 2020. He was an excellent professor in his teaching and research, which included work in the fields of lasers, optics, nuclear fusion, environmental energy, and radio astronomy. He had a long collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he spent many summers. His research record includes more than 50 journal articles, presentations at conferences, and research grants. He received one of the two 1996-1997 UNCA Asheville Distinguished Feldman Awards for his excellence in research. He is also author of two editions of his textbook "Principles of Physical Optics," published by John Wiley & Sons (2008 and 2022). Administrative positions he held during his illustrious career include Director of the UNCA Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Director of the Pisgah Astronomical Research and Science Educational Center (PARSEC). The PARSEC facility is located at the former Rosman Satellite Tracking Station established by NASA in 1962 and later used by the National Security Agency (NSA). A unique teaching innovation, which he developed before it became common, was his development of web assignments for students as early as the late 1990s.

In addition to his accomplishments in the sciences and education, Chuck also applied his scientific knowledge to the creation of art. In 2007, he created a light sculpture at the invitation of the curator of the “RiverSculpture Festival” in French Broad River Park. He was also involved in the creation of multiple electronic music compositions rooted in the science of dynamical systems and chaos theory. He enjoyed hiking, fishing, cooking, and camping with his children.

Chuck is survived by his children Emily (Landis) Lacey of Asheville, NC; Rachael (Jackson) Corn of Waynesville, NC; Charles (Jaclyn Parker) Bennett of Eugene, Oregon; Rebecca Bennett of Asheville, NC; and 3 grandchildren (Millie, Levi, and Logan). He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Hubbard (daughters Rebecca and Beverly) of Dayton, Ohio.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel Nell Sanders and Charles Aycock Bennett Sr (both of Asheville, NC).

A visitation and celebration of life will be held on December 14, 12-2 PM, at Anders Rice Funeral Home in Asheville, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carolina Mountain Club.