Charles Spencer van Gulick

On January 3rd, 2025, just a couple of months shy of his 82nd birthday, Charles Spencer van Gulick, of Stuart Florida, went home to be with the Lord. At the start of WWII while his airman father was stationed in Africa, Spencer was born on March 28, 1943, in Washington, DC, where he lived with his mother and grandmother until his father returned from prison camp in 1945. After spending his childhood years in both Pennsylvania and Maryland, Spencer attended Davis and Elkins College and Princeton Theological Seminary, where he obtained a Master of Divinity Degree. Over his 35-year career with Presbyterian Church USA, Spencer pastored churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State and Florida, retiring from full time ministry in 2003. After moving to Florida that same year, he continued to serve as Interim Pastor at several local churches, retiring for good in 2019.

Throughout Spencer’s life, his theological passion was rivaled only by his love of art, and his need to create. For much of his career, his creative talents manifested in the diverse development and production of military miniatures and fantasy dioramas. His love for, and expertise in these two realms eventually won him several high honors, write-ups and awards in both categories, and culminated in the titles of Outstanding Exhibitor (1979) and Best of Show (1980) from the Society of Illinois Military Miniatures. In his retirement years, when he could no longer paint or sculpt, Spencer immersed himself in graphic arts with the same dedication and fervor he’d employed throughout his younger years in his ministry and creative fields. It brought him great joy.

Spencer was an amazingly loving and sacrificial husband. As a man, pastor, friend, father and brother, he had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit, was a joy to be around, and he challenged us all. He was compassionate and caring, masterfully intellectual, and an expert at problem solving. But most importantly, Spencer loved the Lord and continued to grow in Him until the day he left to be with Jesus.

Spencer is survived by his wife, Virginia van Gulick, and his stepchildren - Lynne and Michael Vellucci, James and Skye Altieri, and Joseph and Michelle Altieri. He has six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

“Chip,” as he was affectionately known to his brothers and sisters, is also survived by Peter and Dianne Gulick, Stephen and Susie Gulick, and his sisters, Kristie Gulick and Barb Gulick. He will be missed.

A celebration of life will be held – date and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send a donation in his honor to any one of the following:

Hillsdale College – 33 E College St., Hillsdale, MI 49242 (www.hillsdale.edu)

Zion’s Hope – P.O. Box 783369, Winter Garden FL 34778 (www.zionshope.org)

Martin County Sheriff’s Office – 800 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34994 (www.mcsofl.org)