Charles Barrett Szeglin

December 13, 1936 – August 24, 2023

CHARLES BARRETT SZEGLIN: artist, teacher, naturalist, antiquarian, traveler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and great uncle passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023.

A resident of Boat Meadow Crossing, Eastham, MA, Charles (Charlie as he was known to one and all) was born in New York City on December 13, 1936; the son of the late Charles and Margaret (Geoghegan) Szeglin.

His earliest years were spent in New York City where he attended Music and Art High School. In 1951, he moved with his family to Glen Rock, NJ, and he graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1954. He went attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ where he was a member of the swim team, a Scarlett Knight cheerleader, and a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon. In 1958, he graduated with a BA in history.

Following a short stint as a topographer’s assistant in New York City, he began his military service in the US Navy. As a 2nd Lt in the Information and Education Department, he was deployed to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Sierra. It was the beginning of his life-long passion for traveling, collecting, and teaching

Upon fulfillment of his military service, Charlie worked as a copywriter for Prentice-Hall while also continuing academic studies at Pratt Institute and New York University. He received his MA in art history from Pratt Institute and soon thereafter began his teaching career.

He was a teacher for 31 years and for 25 of those years, he was the Director of Art for the Bergenfield, NJ School District. It was under his leadership, and with the support of numerous talented colleagues, that many of his students received recognition for their artistic talents throughout the community, region, and state.

Testament to the high regard in which Charlie was held as a teacher was recently expressed by students and colleagues: students, JWB wrote: “….He was my teacher and friend for so many years, and very supportive as I became an artist/illustrator.” and SS wrote: “ …in 5th grade I drew a small portrait of him and gave it to him. Years later,…he told me one of his prized possessions was that drawing, which he then proceeded to pull out of his wallet and told me he always carried it around! … in my 40 plus year career, that moment made me the proudest …” colleagues PM noted: “… I was given a job as elementary art teacher. Charlie was director and one of his main concerns was to bring cohesiveness as a group, but we were more of a family and this lasted until he retired…” and DR said: “... Bergenfield Schools were so fortunate in having him as an artist, teacher, director, and friend. I was blessed to have worked alongside of Charlie and call Fran and Charlie friends...”

Art was always the focal point of Charlie’s life; from his childhood charcoal sketches and pen and ink drawings through his exploration and interest in a wide range of media and creative techniques from collages to photography, and sculpture to painting with acrylic and watercolor. He was a member of numerous organizations including Bergenfield Museum Society, the Art Centers of Tenafly, NJ and New Milford, CT and the Printing Affiliates and the Print Making Workshop.

His most renowned works are the prints and paintings that capture his beloved marshlands of the eastern seaboard from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. Encapsulated in a circle or the latest oval rendering, the marsh, the sky, and water come alive and clearly reflect Charlie’s awareness and love for the world around him. He was truly a Renaissance man who will be missed by all who knew him.

Charlie retired to his paradise, Cape Cod. For almost 30 years he was involved in many activities and organizations. The Nauset Newcomers and the friends they made on the Cape opened the door to the Eastham Hiking Club, kayaking, astronomy, birding and so much more. But on the top of his list was the Friday painting group at the Orleans Senior Center where his art flourished. He continued his work on landscapes using a smaller format and watercolor as his medium. His range expanded to include scenes and memories from across the USA and around the world including Colorado, Arizona, France, Ireland, Mexico, Egypt, and China. Perhaps the most significant change was when he captured his beloved night sky. Moons, stars, and planets resting above the landscape. Charlie’s works were most recently shown at the Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor Center, libraries in Orleans, Eastham and Brewster and the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, as well as numerous places in New Jersey earlier in his career.

Charles Barrett Szeglin is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Franziska (Blenke) Szeglin; his son Christoph and his wife Christine of Eastham, MA; his daughter Anya Mari (Szeglin) Enriquez and her husband Louie Enriquez of Denver, CO; his sister Corinne (Szeglin) Gill of Middletown, CT; his grandchildren: Acadia, Emmett and Everett Enriquez and Annabel and Charlotte Szeglin; his nieces Robin (Gill) Shepherd and husband Kent of Knoxville, TN and Amanda Gill of Seattle, WA and nephew Charles Gill and his wife Tara of Avon CT. He was also a caring great uncle to a great niece and eight great nephews. Charles was predeceased by his brother-in-law Robert C. Gill, Middletown, CT and a nephew Kenneth C. Gill of Alexandria, VA.

A celebration of Charlie's life is scheduled for April 20th, 2024 at 9:00 am at Chapel in the Pines, 220 Samoset Rd., Eastham, MA , friends are encouraged to stop by the Eastham Public Library, 190 Samoset Rd. #3145, Eastham, MA between 10 - 11 am to enjoy an exhibit of Charlie's work, lastly friends and family are invited to the Old Yarmouth Inn, 223 Rt. 6A, Yarmouth Port, MA from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm for a luncheon.

An exhibit of his work will be available from April 1 to April 30, 2024 at the Eastham Public Library.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Cape Abilities or Fins Attached.