Charles H Hoke Jr.

Columbia, Maryland

September 6, 1946 – September 21, 2023

With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Charles, who departed from this world on September 21, 2023 of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was a remarkable individual with a big heart, who praised and loved his family and friends. He was a lifelong learner who enjoyed sharing his wisdom with everyone he met. He leaves behind many wonderful memories and a legacy that will forever be cherished.

Charles was born on September 6, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a Navy Captain and Children’s Librarian. He graduated from Stanford University (1968) and the University of Rochester Medical School (1972). His residency was at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and at the University of Colorado in Denver, where he also had his infectious disease fellowship.

Charles will be deeply missed by his family, including his wife of 49 years, Ellen Boudreau, his daughters, Allison Thomas and Courtney Cox, his sons, Elliott and Geoffrey, his son’s-in-law Ryan Thomas and Mike Cox, his daughter-in-law Laura (Wenderoth), and his six grandchildren, Julia, Avery, Landon, Taylor, Cody and Ryland. He will also be remembered by his siblings, June (John Kaye), Greg (Anne), Nancy and Coursen.

Professionally, he made a significant impact in the field of infectious disease and vaccine development. He was instrumental in the development of the Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A and Adenovirus vaccines. The majority of his career was spent in Bangkok, Thailand, Washington, D.C. and Frederick, Maryland, with the exception of 2-years as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer in Influenza Surveillance at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia (1974-1976). He served in Thailand as the Chief of Virology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (1982-1986), the Chief of the Department of Virus Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (1986-1995), the Director of the Division of Communicable Diseases and Immunology, WRAIR (1995-1997), and the Director of Military Infectious Diseases Research Program in the US Army Medical Research and Development Program (1997-2003). He retired as a Colonel in the US Army after 24-years. He served for 9-years as a US Army contractor in vaccine development at US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity.

During his free time, Charles enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and traveling, including Greece, Israel, Uganda, England, France and Italy. He also loved learning from the Great Courses, talking with friends and family, and exercising on his rowing machine.

A memorial reception will be held from 6-8pm on October 20, 2023 at Witzke Funeral Homes, 5555 Twin Knolls Rd, Columbia, MD 21045. Funeral services will be held at 12pm on October 21, 2023 at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21045 and on livestream at www.christchurchcolumbia.org.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Friends of Sabina at www.friendsofsabina.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Hoke family.