I only learned of Charles’ passing very recently.  I was so shocked and sad that it has taken me weeks to process this news.   He was such a dear friend, and a most magnificent man that the world is surely dimmer for losing him.   I first met Charlie back when he was President at CED, and we remained good friends through the years.   The last time we spoke was in December of 2022, and he showed no inkling that anything was amiss.   I am still brokenhearted that he is gone as I am sure many others are too.   His congenial personality, thoughtfulness, and intellectual honesty will truly be missed.  Long live his kind and humble spirit.

I just learned of this sad news. I knew Charlie for some 20 years, beginning in the mid-90s during his tenure at United Way of America, through his enormous achievements at the Committee for Economic Development and beyond that. He was a bright, shining star in the areas of organizational governance, political and economic reform, and every cause that could bring the nation closer to its founding creed, in which he believed to the depths of his soul.

One particular memory: Charlie was very proud that he added to CED’s tagline the words “in the nation’s interest.” He understood the importance of business as an instrument not only of economic growth but of social responsibility. And he lived that truth  throughout his career. I am proud to have known and worked with him.

Stephen I. Kasloff, Esq.

I just learned the sad news of Charlie’s passing.  I worked for him at the Department of Education and want to say that his respect and kindness toward the career executives who worked for him was just extraordinary.  It continued even after he left to work at the White House.  He brought out the best in us.

I was saddened to see the news of Charlie's passing, which only just reached me.  We worked together in the Bush Administration, where we were colleagues and friends.  In his public service, Charlie was brilliant, dedicated, and impactful. He made a difference in myriad ways, but as I think of what he meant to me personally, in none so much as in his commitment to his family and friends. Not so many in Washington are as strong in friendship as was Charlie.  I was honored to continue our friendship after we left government, and to meet up with him regularly in New York.  Charlie was brilliant, but also unfailingly decent and kind, someone whose memory should always be a blessing.

I am devastated to hear of this news, however sadly belatedly.  Charlie was a wonderful colleague in the Reagan and Bush 41 White Houses, and a friend, too.  I feel terrible that I am only now learning of his demise.  And yet we had been talking, not too long ago, about his next project, which was to be a biography of Mike Horowitz.   But Charlie deserves his own biography.  Or at least, many admiring and mournful eulogies.

Dear Family and Friends of Charlie,
I miss him.  He was a wonderful friend especially to my husband Michael Horowitz.  They talked politics and Charlie and I talked art.
He was a gentle, thoughtful generous man with a fine wit.
I am so sorry for you all.  Death of a person one loves is never easy to incorporate into one's soul, but this one in particular must be especially difficult.
Devra C Marcus

I met Charlie at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was part of the group of life-long friends I made there.  I was immediately awed by Charlie's intelligence, wit, sometimes quirky sense of humor, and friendliness.  I only had the opportunity to speak to him once after graduation.  His charm had not faded.  If anything, I was more taken with his genuine interest in me and his commitment to serving others.  Despite lack of direct contact, I followed Charlie's career over the years through the reports of our many mutual friends.  I am saddened that such an exceptional person has left us.  He will be missed.

I feel very lucky to have been able to share some of Charlie’s time. He and I met when he was at CED and I was at the American Constitution Society and again as board members for Open Secrets (and before at NIMP).  We shared a belief in good government but also francophilia and francophonia— we even did a french language broadcast together on the 2016 election.  He was always a delight to be around, witty and wise, and also very kind.  He will be missed.

Charlie was an exceptional man and my heart, like those of so many others, is heavy with sadness at his early passing. 

I was fortunate to work with Charlie for over 13 years at the Committee for Economic Development.  He was incredibly sharp and a font of knowledge on everything from public policy to the arts and humanities, culture, food and wine.  Not to mention French. 

Most of all, he was very encouraging and always supportive especially as I was learning and doing more within CED.  He put a great deal of faith in me and was a kind and warm mentor, a fair boss and a dear friend. He is deeply missed.  

Charles, repose toi bien mom ami.

E ho’omaha me ka maluhia. Aloha 

Charlie was an important part of my life. He was supportive, even when he needed to be frank. He did not hesitate to stand up to members of his board when principle was at stake, but he was highly skilled at resolving different points of view. Most notably to me, Charlie grew and learned, recognizing facts and changes of circumstance. He was always open to valid argument. These attributes made him a valuable leader in every role that he played over a stellar career. He will be sorely missed in these trying times.

My deepest condolence to the Kolb family.

My heart is heavy to lose such a beautiful mind. I had the privilege of working with Charlie for 12 years at the Committee for Economic Development. Together we built the business office and in so doing, he allowed me so much growth in my career. He pushed me in all the right directions and was my genuine advocate, particularly by staying true to the ideas behind women empowerment. His work in public policy was impeccable and his impact was great. 

I am truly blessed to have had Charlie’s support during our time at CED and long after CED, and I will forever cherish the many beautiful memories of our friendship, his unique charm and unending love for France. Envoie-moi des sourires du ciel, Charlie.


I was a colleague of Charlie's at OMB during the Reagan Administration.  We had regular interactions on legal issues involving Federal regulations.  I found him to be intelligent, affable, personable, engaging and just wonderful to be around.  I followed his career after he left OMB and was never surprised to learn of  his successes.  I regret that we lost contact and I never had a chance to express my admiration to him directly.
Condolences to all who knew him and loved him.

Dick Eisinger

We are all trying to process the news of Charlie’s passing.  For many of us Charlie was a boss, mentor, and friend.   If you ever went to Charlie with a concern or problem, either personal or professional, he was always in your corner advocating for you during those trying times.  For me personally, I lost a dear friend – someone I knew and loved for over 25 years.  There were times in meetings or in gatherings when I could read what Charlie was thinking.  In those same meetings, I know he was reading my mind – anticipating what I was about to say.

As a preeminent public policy leader, Charlie helped change the lives of people throughout our country.  His leadership in getting business leaders to advocate on behalf early childhood education continues to impact the lives of families, especially those most vulnerable.

Mon ami Charles


Extending my most heartfelt condolences to the Kolb family for the way too early passing of Charlie.

For over 11 years, I worked with Charlie and the exceptional team at the Committee for Economic Development as we sought solutions to key policy issues and had remarkable success on Campaign Finance Reform, Early Childhood Education, Health Care Reform, Debt and the Deficit, and so much more. All important issues for Charlie and CED’s leadership.

On a personal note, this was also a time of pride and great joy, as we also both welcomed the births of our daughters.

I send my deepest sympathies and prayers to the Kolb family at this difficult time.

Sincerely, 
Martha Houle


Talk about a classy, kind and loving man, the world will miss you! Mark Middendorf

Charlie was a dear friend of mine.  Our friendship spanned decades.  He was always so delightful to be around.  He moved us.  He brought us together with his sheer energy and infectious personality.  I will always remember the CED luncheons and the annual galas under his leadership.  He was truly one of a kind.  I will miss him dearly.  May he rest in peace.  Sorry I cannot be at the memorial service.  Sending my condolences to his family and friends.

Charlie was just a great guy. When I first met him, I thought we shared no common ground on our respective politics. But I was wrong. His leadership at CED was key to several legislative successes and his intellect made him a delightful person with whom to have a sparkling conversation. 
Sorry I’ll be out of town for his memorial service but will be sending my thoughts to his family and all his friends. 

What a privilege to work for Charlie at CED! I loved his intellect and curiosity, his charisma and love of all things French. He was well respected and a natural leader and he was always quick to respond long after we worked together. I learned so much about Proust and French wine and leading with integrity from him. I will treasure my memories. God Bless you Charlie. Mes chagrins les plus profonds

It’s so sad to lose Charlie. He was one of those people who could be smart and talk about serious things and lighten up a room, all at the same time. 

One of his greatest virtues was his humility: he wanted to listen, and he enjoyed dealing with people of all ages and all levels of professional life.  He was a patriot who was always ready to freshen his thinking about what it meant to serve his country.  

A lot of people are better off because of the work he did – and as hard as it is for his friends to lose him, we are so much better off for having known him.

I worked with Charlie for a decade at CED where he was the President.  He was a great guy to work for and made our work interesting and (at times) fun.  Charlie was full of ideas and had a deep intellectual curiosity.  I remember one long train ride to New York and Charlie telling great stories of spending summers in the south of France.  No one knew, or appreciated, a nice bottle of wine more than Charlie Kolb.  He will be missed.  My condolences to his family.  

Charlie was a relatively new colleague (to me) on the board of OpenSecrets. I admired his dedication to our shared work and the precision of his contributions to it. His commentary on calls and emails always stood out for its wisdom, and my most recent email to him characterized the "Tao of Charlie" for his apt and scalable insight on the matter at hand.  On a personal note, I recall looking him up and thinking to myself "wow - what a great career! I wonder how I might emulate this impressive person." May he rest in peace and live on in the memories of his family and friends as the best version of himself. 

OBITUARY

Charles Edward Mealey Kolb

6 November, 1950 – 13 July, 2023

Demaine Funeral Home

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