Dr. Charles Henry Warlick

Charles H. Warlick, 86, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully at home on January 6, 2017 after a long illness. He was born May 8, 1930 in Hickory, North Carolina, the son of George Clifton Warlick and Dennice Leila Yelton.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Suzanne Franks Warlick, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters Catherine, Christopher, Adele, and Chelsea Justl of Houston, daughter Caroline Warlick of Washington D.C,; and a son, Charles, Jr. of Austin; brother Norman Gene Warlick and wife Anne of Cherryville, North Carolina; brother-in-law Eck Franks and wife Maureen of Lufkin; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and older sister Elizabeth Warlick Green and brother George C. Warlick Jr. Charlie grew up in Hickory, active in Boy Scouts, attaining the level of Eagle Scout. He received his B.S. in Mathematics from Duke University, M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Maryland, and PH.D. in Mathematics from the University of Cincinnati. At Duke, he was active in the Duke Men's Glee Club and Duke Chapel Choir.

Dr. Warlick's professional career spanned the life of electronic digital computing, from its beginning to the most recent. His first employment was in the U.S. Army Ballistics Research Laboratories at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland where his work in numerical analysis and programming involved some of the earliest computers, the Eniac, Edvac, and Ordvac. In 1955, he became a Manager of the Mathematical Applications Development Group at the General Electric Company, where he performed research in numerical analysis, applied aerodynamics, compilers, and management information systems. His graduate school mentor, Dr. David M. Young, Jr. recruited Charlie to come to The University of Texas in 1965 to join him in the management of in the newly established Computation Center. During his 31 years at The University of Texas, Dr. Warlick served as Director of the Computation Center, as well as joint appointments lecturing in the Computer Sciences, Interim Director for the Center for High Performance Computing, Executive Director for Academic Information Systems in the Office of the Chancellor for The University of Texas System, and special advisor to the Provost for Information Technology.

Following his retirement from The University of Texas and moving to Nacogdoches, Dr. Warlick became involved with the SFA Steen Library, where he helped with the design and development of the computer network, eventually becoming a member of the Library staff. This association of almost twenty years was most gratifying, not only providing the opportunity for continued involvement in his lifetime profession, but for the personal and community relationships he developed and enjoyed so much. He loved being on campus, staying current with computing trends, and watching the growth of technology in education.

Among his numerous contributions to the research, development, and applications of technology, Dr. Warlick was very proud of his role in educational technology. He was jointly responsible for the NSF Regional Texas Higher Education Network (THEnet) and the Texas Education Network (TENET), connecting 6,400 public K-12 schools. A highlight was serving on Steve Jobs' Higher Education Advisory Board during the development of Jobs' NeXT computer company. Charlie was appointed by two Texas governors to the Automated Information and Telecommunications Council, serving a term as Vice-Chair. He was a member of the U.S. State Department delegation to U.S.S.R. to study use of computers in Soviet universities in Moscow, Leningrad, Novosibirsk, and Kiev, and was an Investigator on a variety of National Science Foundation studies and research projects. He served on the boards of state and national computer user groups and was an Institutional Trustee and Chair of the Board of EDUCOM.

Dr. Warlick gave many presentations to local, state, national, and international groups and published papers ranging from reports on methods of use of the Orvac to financial planning for campus information resources.. He was a member of the Austin Rotary Club for many years and the recipient of an Individual Achievement Award from the Austin Chamber of Commerce/Austin School District Adopt-A-School Program.

In Nacogdoches, Charlie enjoyed his association with the Steen Library, keeping his yard, listening to his favorite Bach and Willie Nelson music, sharing memories with a morning coffee group of retired SFA professors, and helping family and friends with their computer needs and problems. Dr. Warlick was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Nacogdoches.

Funeral services are set for 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 9, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, located at 201 E. Hospital Street in Nacogdoches, with Dr. Jeff McDonald officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, located at 5127 North Street in Nacogdoches.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 8, 2017, at Cason Monk-Metcalf.

You may offer online memories and condolences at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.