It is with great sadness that we share the news that Charles Elder has died unexpectedly this week.
Charles had been the University’s Media Relations Manager since 2011, when he joined Southampton from Bournemouth University.
Charles was well-loved and highly respected by his colleagues and will be hugely missed across the breadth of our University community.
During his time at Southampton Charles made remarkable strides through his work to raise the profile of our research, as well as our student and staff successes in local, national and international media – from highlighting our contribution to sporting excellence in the 2012 London Olympics, to our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A smiling, familiar face around campus, colleagues will perhaps remember Charles best for his insatiable enthusiasm for higher education, his optimism, good humour, and a wish to always share a [dad] joke, or tell a good story.
Originally hailing from the US, Charles made the UK his home but always kept in touch with his American roots, including the fortunes of his beloved Kansas City Chiefs American football team.
Shaun Williams, Executive Director of Engagement and Advancement said:
“Charles had an unwavering passion for Southampton and an inspiring zest for life, which touched many of those who knew and worked with him, right across the University. He was a wonderful family man and our deepest condolences are with his wife Anne and his two children at this time.”
There will be an opportunity through the August edition of Staff Matters, of which Charles was Editor-in-Chief, to remember him and celebrate his contribution to our University. If you would like to submit a message for inclusion, please email: [email protected] by 17:00 Monday 2 August 2021.
