OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - Charles “Chuck” Harmon, 83, died peacefully Feb. 28, 2020 at Commonwealth Senior Living in Oak Ridge, Tenn. after struggling for several years with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Chuck was born March 26, 1936 in Troy Grove to Charles and Edith (Andrews) Harmon. He married Mary Dunigan of Oak Ridge.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Harmon; his beloved daughter, Christa (Kevin) Dunn; one sister, Cynthia (Ron) Rosinski; two stepchildren, Jana Rivet and Billy Barker; three grandchildren, Cameron Luther, Chase Harmon and Nicolas Guzzo; and a step granddaughter, Brittney Fay.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Richard.

Chuck was a graduate of Northern Illinois University and then went on to receive a Master of Arts in teaching in the field of natural sciences from Harvard University. He enjoyed his reputation as the “trivia man” and was proud to belong to the Mensa Society. He taught high school and junior college sciences in Massachusetts, Illinois and Florida. He was a gifted teacher whose purpose was to inspire his students to share his own excitement about using the human brain. Because of his high score on a test for science teachers, along with an exemplary showing in classroom observations, the state of Florida awarded him an increase in salary. He was then asked to join a committee of teachers statewide to compose more questions for use on future such tests. In response to the state’s desire to include student skills in critical thinking in his school, he created class materials and projects to accomplish that goal. Critical thinking was also crucial for students taking the SAT. He highly valued the ability to use his brain and hoped to infect his students with the same desire. He held study sessions in his room in the evening before exams and filled the room to capacity. He even created programs for the computer based on his labs.

At Chuck’s request, his body was donated to the UT Health Science Center for teaching purposes.