Charles Elton “Charlie” Pfefferkorn, Ph.D.

After growing up mostly in Southern California, Charlie went to Carnegie Mellon, where he earned a bachelor’s in physics and, in 1971, one of the earliest doctorates in computer science awarded in the U.S. His advisor was Herbert Simon, who later won both the Nobel Prize and the Turing Award. After three years as a professor at Purdue, Charlie moved to Silicon Valley to work at NASA Ames on projects involving the ILLIAC IV (the world’s first supercomputer), followed by a career at private-sector tech companies such as Fujitsu.

Charlie was a man of many interests. He learned how to sail a boat and fly a plane, visited all seven continents, collected model trains, and enjoyed fine wines and good meals. He volunteered at the Computer History Museum and helped out at Carnegie Mellon’s Silicon Valley campus when it first opened. In later life, Charlie became an avid tai chi practitioner and cared for the local stray cats, adopting several. He was well-liked among his longtime neighbors on the San Jose street where he lived for 42 years before moving into a retirement home, whose staff likewise loved him.

Charlie is survived by his brother Glenn (Jan) and nieces Riana (Aaron), Ashley (Zac), and Lisa. His family expresses their deepest gratitude to David, Ofelia, Hazel, Angie, and the whole team at Buena Vista Manor House for their exceptional care during Charlie’s final years. Private services to be held. Charlie may be remembered by donations to the Computer History Museum or the Humane Society of Silicon Valley.