Charles Willard Kremer

Charles Willard Kremer, affectionately called “Bud” by his siblings and “Chuck” by his many friends and family, peacefully passed away in the morning of Friday, May 22, 2026, after an experienced life spanning 85 years.

He was born (to quote his mother) “a Friday’s child, born at 1:15p.m. – a beautiful boy – just what we wanted” on July 19th, 1940, at Homeopathic Hospital in Wilmington, DE to Leona Mable McCracken and Vincent Willard Kremer, originally from Nebraska. As the son of a DuPont Company chemical engineer, Bud moved as his father's work required, a time during which he developed his lifelong interest of exploring how things work. To him, a vehicle was a mechanical device to be understood, as well as a means of transportation. That comprehension was a first step in applying mechanical and technical skills to problem solving. He well understood the importance of helping others, and enjoyed doing so by combining his mechanical aptitudes with public service; an early example of this was his decision, as a teenager, to join the volunteer fire company in Odessa, DE, where he learned how firefighting equipment is used to serve the community. The fire siren often disrupted family meals as he faithfully responded to calls. An exploratory time followed his graduation from Middletown (DE) High School in 1958; he served in the U.S. Navy, studied forestry at Syracuse University, and liberal arts at University of Delaware. It was as a member of the E-52 Theater Program at UofD where he applied his mechanical skills to build theater sets that complimented the performing arts. Always inquisitive, and intelligent (proudly a member of Mensa International), he enjoyed that work with like-minded students, which continued a sustained interest in building that endured into his working years.

In 1967 (through his lifelong friend Bobby Barnes, and his wife, Barbara) at the Unionville Inn, Chuck met Noel Betty Edwards, whom he married soon after. Chuck joined the Carpenter’s Union in October of 1970 to secure a stable income for his family (now with three young children), where he remained throughout his career, to beyond 55 years of membership. His aptitudes and skills as a surveyor were increasingly crucial throughout his career, notably on the significant projects at Eddystone Generating Station, Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, Limerick Nuclear Generating Station, and the U.S. Route 202 Reconstruction. In the early 1990s, having raised and guided their children effectively well into adulthood, Noel and Chuck amicably decided to venture their separate ways and see as individuals what their latter years might hold.

It was not long before Chuck found a woman with whom he shared love and accompanied him through the rest of his life; he first connected with Barbara Marie Powell on a blind date to a winter music event near Reading, PA, and this lead them together from the hills of Berks County to the beaches of Stone Harbor with the Barnes’ during a period of courtship that followed. As their bond matured, they ultimately relocated south to North Carolina, where they married in a beautiful ceremony on August 20th, 1996, with a service so memorable it will not be forgotten by any in attendance. Over the decades, as they settled first in Zebulon, and then closer in Northeast Raleigh, he was proudly fond that he grew to become “Pop-pop” to Barbara’s four grandchildren. Following retirement, he built bird houses for family & friends, and continued to support & explore his hobby of geocaching (which served his enduring curiosity & sense of adventure) through all of North Carolina, into surrounding states, and even areas well beyond. In pursuit of improving the world, he invested his time volunteering with groups like the Boy Scouts of America, and with his efforts through planting trees and simply by being a good neighbor and Samaritan to the best of his abilities.

He is survived directly by his wife, Barbara, stepdaughters Stephanie and Stacey, children Whitney, Christian, & Lars, six grandchildren, sisters Mary and Valerie, as well as many, many other family members, friends, and neighbors that cared and loved with him; he will be missed by all who ever knew him.

Chuck’s desire was for his remains to be returned directly to the earth, “...have my ashes scattered in the wild so that plants may feed on them. In this way, I am never truly dead, but remain a part of the cycle of life.” In respect and loving memory of that wish, our family invites you to honor his life by contributing to two organizations close to his heart, be it the The Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org), &/or The National Arbor Day Foundation (https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative-trees-for-others). Your generosity will help continue his support of these causes, for which we are deeply grateful, as is your kindness and sympathy during this time of remembrance.

"Son, life is a struggle, yet it doesn't have to be hard; be well prepared, use your head, and always do what is right in your heart." - CWK