Born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1944, Charlie was the son of Charles B. Kaufmann II and Elizabeth (Passavant) Kaufmann. He grew up in the Pittsburg area until the family relocated to Munich, Germany in 1958. After attending school in Switzerland, Charlie returned stateside in 1961 to finish his high school career at Andover Academy. Charlie then went to Yale, where he was a member of the Yale Glee Club. He loved his time with the Glee Club, serving as president of the club during his senior year, and traveling with them on an around the world tour after his graduation from Yale in 1966. Charlie was honored for his service to the Glee Club with the Yale Glee Club Medal of Honor in 2008. Charlie went on to earn his JD from Columbia in 1969.
Upon his graduation from Columbia, Charlie went on to practice law for 48 years. He started his career clerking for the Connecticut Supreme Court and then moved into private practice. Charlie practiced with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York City before moving to Greenwich with Duel and Holland, which later became Holland, Kaufmann & Bartels. In 2005, this firm merged with Shipman and Goodwin, Charlie retired from there in late 2018.
Throughout his career, Charlie was active on the board of Greenwich United Way, the Child Guidance Center, and Greenwich EMS. GEMS held a special place in Charlie’s heart; he served on the board of directors for 28 years.
Charlie also had ties out west. His parents took him and his siblings to Eatons’ Ranch in Wolf, Wyoming for summer vacations throughout their childhood. Charlie continued to spend time at Eatons’ as an adult, it is there he met his wife Patty, whom he married in 1981. Charlie and Patty continued to spend time in Wyoming, and their combined love of the west led him to serve on the board of Yellowstone Forever (formally the Yellowstone Park Foundation) for 12 years.
Charlie is survived by his wife Patty, his 3 step-children Juli Spencer (Jamie), Jeff Way and Jami Worthington, his 7 grandchildren, Hannah and August Kern, Lukas and Myko Worthington, Garrett, Vivian and Marley Way. He is also survived by his brother Rod Kaufmann and niece Anaya Kaufmann, and sister Liz Kaufmann (Ernie Tucker) and his nephews Travis and Cam Tucker.
Charlie loved living in Greenwich and immersed himself in the community. Those who knew him will remember his willingness to help others, his eagerness to strike up a conversation, and his deep love for his friends and family. Friends are encouraged to raise a toast to Charlie in their own way, and know he cared for you all deeply.
We will gather to celebrate Charlie’s life at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021 at Christ Church in Greenwich. Please note, masks will be required. Memorial contributions can be made to GEMS. www.greenwichems.com |1111 East Putnam Avenue Riverside, CT 06878.
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