Martin L. "Chuck" Wachtel III

Chuck was born on April 23, 1941, in Dallas, Texas, but North Carolina was his home. He grew up in Spring Hope, NC and graduated from Spring Hope High School where he lettered in football, was a member of the Beta Club and graduated with distinction in 1960. Upon graduation, Chuck was offered Athletic Scholarships to Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina, Duke, Georgia Tech, East Carolina University and North Carolina State University. He chose NCSU and graduated with honors majoring in Nuclear Engineering and Applied Mathematics. Throughout his college years, Chuck was recognized for his tenacity, integrity and intellect. He was the recipient of Governor’s Award for the Most Outstanding Football player in 1962, he lettered in football in his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was a member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity. After college, in 1964 Chuck was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, but chose instead to remain in NC.

Chuck began his career as an NC Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in 1964 and received an MAI Designation from The Appraiser Institute. His first professional position was with the NC Department of Transportation, but Chuck was an entrepreneur and after a brief tenure, he resigned and partnered with Ford Worthy to establish Worthy & Wachtel, Inc, a professional commercial real estate appraiser firm focusing on commercial brokerage and investment. The Worthy & Wachtel partnership lasted for 56 years and was instrumental in building and developing Raleigh in its formative years. Chuck grew his expertise in commercial real estate by serving as a member and in leadership on The Raleigh Board of Realters, NC Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realters, the Commercial Listing Service of Raleigh, Inc and as President of the North Carolina Chapter 40 of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers.

Chuck was devoted to youth, families and the community. He was a charter member of the Boys and Girls Club, served as President and remained on the board for 17 years. As a member of the Raleigh YMCA Board he served as captain of multiple fund drives and he was a board member for Family Services of Wake County. A devoted fan of NCSU, he was a member of the NCSU Foundation receiving the Certificate of Appreciation from Governor Hunt and a supporter of the Wolfpack Club. As board member for the United Way Small Business Division, Chuck shared his experience and expertise with small business owners encouraging entrepreneurship.

Chuck was always active, from his days on the football field to his participation in multiple triathlons and marathons. One of his greatest feats was hiking the 300-mile Appalachian Trail.

Chuck was a devoted and honorable, husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was admired for his strength of character, devotion to family and friends and support of his community.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Luther Wachtel Jr. and Jean Lassiter and his younger brother William Wesley Wachtel.

He will be remembered by his wife, Marianne, his children, Victoria Lassiter Alexander and Martin Cameron Wachtel, his son in-law Clint Alexander, daughter in law Stacy Wachtel, his grand girls Mattie and Ashley Alexander and Grace Wachtel, his sister Cathy Bass, his brother-in-law Edward Bass, his sister-in-law Celia Wachtel, his nieces and nephews and many friends.

The Wachtel family wants to express gratitude and admiration to Transitions LifeCare (hospice) for the fine care Chuck received during the final days of his life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the American Cancer Society or Transitions LifeCare.

A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton St, Raleigh. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Parish Hall.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Wachtel family.