Charles Edward Duffer

“Eddie”

Born in Mexico City in 1966 to Hiram and Beatriz Duffer, Charles bounded into the world with insatiable curiosity, wanting to know everything about everything, and finding reading and learning-by-doing the best ways to accomplish that. He was introduced to jalapeños early in his culinary explorations and has impressed everyone since with his formidable tolerance for pepper heat. When he was 1 year and 9 months old, his baby sister came along for him to protect and challenge while they warred and played through their many moves and exploits.

At 4 years old his family moved to the hill country of Texas, living in both Boerne and Kerrville for several years. These were adventurous years spent fishing in Cibolo Creek, riding his horse “Pancho,” and developing his love of sports and future athleticism through pee-wee football. When Charles was 9 years old, his father returned to his former life’s work as a missionary, and moved the family to Puerto Rico. Forever fearless and accident prone, Charles sported the most terrifying wounds throughout his childhood, much to the dismay of his mother and younger sister, including slicing his leg rather than the weeds he was chopping with a machete, and trying to uproot trees with his bare forehead, up until his last red golf-ball chin, courtesy of a golf ball.

As he grew up in in Puerto Rico, he was quickly known and beloved by all for his remarkable work ethic, tenacity, ingenuity, and can-do attitude. Whether on the soccer field or a summer job construction site, he was all fierceness and heart, barreling through what needed to be done. He read voraciously and could devour books within a few hours. After reading everything he could get his hands on in his home and accessible libraries, he turned to the World Book Encyclopedia set his Dad had purchased for the family, and read all the volumes cover to cover. He loved to argue a point and was well-resourced to do so. So used to being “right”, and often considered too smart for his own good, he could easily frustrate his loved ones who ventured into the Sisyphean world of arguing with him. Despite his love of being right, known for his heart of gold, he became a dear confidant and friend to many in his church and school.

He played soccer, baseball, and basketball as well as running track throughout high school. He was well-loved by his classmates, and often teased with the nicknames, Aladino, Suki, Pancake, and Chinito. He was elected Senior Class President, and took his fundraising responsibilities through managing the school’s “coke room”, which was a snack and drink shop, very seriously as he led the class to raise enough funds to have a Senior Trip to Antigua, which they all remember fondly to this day.

Deciding while still in high school to study Mechanical Engineering, he left Puerto Rico after graduating from Wesleyan Academy and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A and I University, followed by his Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A & M University. He met the love of his life, Kim Futrell Duffer, while he was at Texas A & M. They were soon married, and moved to San Antonio, Texas, where they created a beautiful family together with three children, Derek Mendez, Katie Duffer, and Chris Duffer, who were the lights and joys of his life.

He excelled in his career, first at Karta Technologies and then at Southwest Research Institute, where he was the manager of the Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department in the Mechanical Engineering Division, and developed multiple patents in his field. His work took him on various travels, including the South of France, China, Japan, and Mexico, as well as places closer to home. He was highly respected by his colleagues, who teased him with the nickname Chuckles for his easy laugh.

Often enjoying teasing his children and friends by responding to phone calls as if they had reached a taquería and asking what kind of tacos they would like, he had his own unique blend of humor that would often surprise those around him as it broke through his seeming seriousness. He loved taking his family hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors, although work pressures often made it seem like there was never enough time. His family knew him for his expert barbecuing and shrimp and fish frying prowess, his generosity of spirit to a fault, his never failing willingness to respond to a challenge to race, and his trumpeting, elephant-evoking nose blowing, and his laughter-turned-to-high-pitched-sob-sounds echoing through the house. A fervent fan of his brother-in-law’s carbonara, he always recognized good food, and was an adamant follower of the No Food Left Behind policy, often coming to the rescue of his overstuffed loved ones saying, “I will polish it off.”

His children were often awed by his spooky memory, from remembering all the equations he learned in High School to remembering all of the character names in Call of the Wild, a book he last read in 2nd grade. His family most remembers him for his selflessness and responsiveness. He was the official saver and fixer of everything broken and anyone in distress. When his daughter Katie found herself hating the math she had to do in high school, he would study her textbook every day so he could teach it to her and help her through. She excelled and is now successfully majoring in biochemistry in college. She once requested that he help her do a Science Fair project on “what he did at work,” and he coached her through the creation of her project which won a high level grand prize in the regional science fair. Similarly, Derek fondly remembers the soccer goal Charles built for him from scratch in their San Antonio backyard to help him practice. Chris remembers calling his dad regularly for help with car troubles, from the confusing warning lights on his dashboard, to fixing his transmission just a few weeks ago. His nephew, Michael, warmly remembers calling his Uncle Eddie and peppering him with math questions during high school and college, and always getting explanations quickly with a large dose of humor, as it always seemed no problem was too tough for his Uncle Eddie. Every one of his children and nieces and nephews were filled with stories of his help, from coming to the rescue when keys were locked in cars, to helping sick pets, shining ROTC boots, washing and ironing uniforms, laying floors, filling tires with air, and fixing cherished broken items. Over and over the theme of the stories about Charles is how he would help everyone on anything and everything without hesitation. He will forever be remembered for his love, generosity and brilliance. He is irreplaceable and we are forever grateful for all of the ways he loved and took care of us.

Charles was preceded in death by his mother, Beatriz León Ramos de Duffer and his father, Hiram Duffer. He is remembered with love and gratitude by his family that survives him including his wife, Kim Duffer, children Derek Mendez, Katie Duffer, Chris Duffer, his nephews and nieces, Michael Ramos Lynch, Ghena Alhanaee, Francesca Romaniello, Gabi Romaniello and Dani Romaniello , sisters, Esther Pringle, Helen Courtney, Catherine Montoya and Martha Ramos Duffer, sister and brother in law Karen and Gino Romaniello , father and mother in law, Art and Donna Sanders, and many beloved cousins, aunts and uncles.

Family Quotes

“If there was a need anywhere in the vicinity of Charles for anyone, young or old, he met it and took good care of it. Charles had many exceptional accomplishments but the one he valued most was his family.” Donna Sanders – Mother in Law

“Charles was the smartest man I’ve ever known, but there is ONE thing he didn’t know and that is how deeply we all will miss him.”
Kim Duffer - Wife

“I have so many great memories of our families being together and will always remember the great times we had. You were an amazing father, and always a supporting friend which always inspired me to be a better person. Thank you for all that you did for me and my family. I will always be grateful. Rest in Peace my beautiful brother.” Gino Romaniello – Brother in law

“Thank you for all the help and support. I will always remember the many times you would carry me to the car so I didn’t have to put my shoes on. And thank you for teaching me to ride a bike.” Gabi Romaniello - Niece

“Anytime I excel, whether working at Target, Six Flags, or tackling my Ph.D., I have Charles to thank for instilling the most honest and powerful work ethic. I wish I could give him a big hug and shake his hand when I receive the degree he inspired me to pursue. I know I will see him again.” Derek Mendez - Son

“Charles was my memory, my net, my encyclopedia, my family and my home.” Martha Ramos Duffer - Sister

“The only brother I ever had, who came to our rescue on so many occasions. You are our hero.” Karen Romaniello – Sister in law

“Uncle Charles was the best uncle God could have blessed me and the girls with. With me being the reckless one, he was always there watching out for me and being a positive influence. His intelligence was incredible and there wasn’t once he didn’t offer to help.” Francesca Romaniello – Niece

"Being a dad is about so much more than just being a parent- a dad is a mentor, teacher, a mechanic, a doctor, a chef, a rock to lean on, and a hero when you need one the most- and my dad was all that and so much more, not just to his children but to everyone who knew him." Chris Duffer – Son

“When he was with me, I never had to worry about anything. I could come to him with any problem and he would do anything and everything to solve it. He gave me everything I needed to succeed in life and I will use what he gave me to make him proud of me.” Katie Duffer – Daughter

“He was the rescuer, the go-to for anything. I’ll be honored spending the rest of my life looking to him as an example of how to give. I’ll miss him a lot – that turkey.” Michael Ramos Lynch – Nephew

“He was a father figure to us all. He gave with no hesitation and was there for everyone and anyone.” Ghena Alhanaee – Niece

“We are all sad, but he is in a better place with Sasha and Tiger. Just think about that.”
Dani Romaniello - Niece