July - September 2019

followed in Charlie’s footsteps as superintendent of the Edison School District after Charlie retired. Don recalls learning from Charlie to practice the fine art of tact. One day Don met an administrator from another district who remarked that he had a teaching applicant from Milan. He called Charlie to ask if he could give the teacher a good recommendation. Charlie advised, “Do you have other applicants? I would hire one of them.” John Wallrabenstein, a Milan student in the 1960’s, who later became a school teacher at Milan High School, describes Charlie as the superintendent who refused to cancel school for bad weather. “Back in the 60’s and the 70’s, the chance of school being cancelled for snow in our school district was pretty close to zero. One time we had a particularly heavy snowfall. It was cold, windy and the roads were drifted over. Charlie called all the township trustees. He arranged for a snow plow to go out in front of each school bus to make sure the students got to school. One time, on Thomas Road, I watched the snow plow back up three times to clear the road before we could get through. And of course, we all made it to school.” Charlie has an amazing memory with a love of lifelong learning. He is an accomplished Civil War buff and has read innumerable books on the Civil War. His granddaughter Heather recalls whenever she and Charlie listen to civil war lectures together, he enjoys pointing out the errors in the presentations. When his wife Margery became ill, Charlie took over the housekeeping responsibilities at age 80+. He proudly reported to Heather that he learned to avoid ironing by shaking out the wrinkles and hanging up clothes still slightly damp. When Heather teased, “Grandad, you are proof that an old dog can learn new tricks.” Charlie replied, “Who are you calling an old dog?” Centenarian Charles Lindecamp Photos from Milan-Berlin Library archives Like us on www.servingourseniors.org 11