Charles H. Towle

Charles Towle Jr., 86, of Sanford, died on January 29, 2025, in Wells, Maine.

He was born in Skowhegan on May 13, 1938 to Charles H. and Thelma Adams Towle. The family moved to Springvale in 1946 where Chuck attended Sanford schools. While in high school, he ran track, played football and participated in the school band.

Chuck earned his BA in Biology from Bowdoin College. During this time, he met and married Judy Waters of Stamford, Connecticut. After a stint in the Army at Fort Bragg, NC he returned to Bowdoin as a teaching fellow. Chuck subsequently earned a Master’s Degree from Middlebury College where he worked as a teaching assistant. He later earned a PhD. in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire.

For thirty years, Chuck was a Professor at Curry College where he taught Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. He enjoyed teaching nursing students and taking his biology students on field trips. He loved nature, and field trips allowed him to use the natural world as a classroom – an especially enjoyable part of his work. Soon after retiring in 2013, Chuck moved back to Sanford and spent as much time as he could at his wilderness camp.

Throughout his life he loved classical music, periodically playing tympani with the Curry College and UMass Symphony Orchestras, going out to breakfast with friends, working on and driving his 1931 Model A Ford and spending summers at his camp in Northern Maine. At camp, he spent his days fishing, boating, working on his property, and volunteering with Lake Stewards of Maine. He was a lifelong football fan and enjoyed watching New England Patriots games with anyone who chose to join him. His scientific knowledge and adventurous spirit made him an excellent brewer and he occasionally dreamed of starting a microbrewery. He sometimes used brewing as a classroom lesson in biology.

Chuck is survived by his sister Susan McClellan (Mike) of Southern Pines NC; brother Jon Towle of Cape Elizabeth, ME; daughter Jennifer Niemi (Dale) of Rancho Murieta, CA; son Christopher Towle (Sheila) of Gloucester, MA; grandchildren Sarah Niemi of Boston, MA and Blake Niemi of Santa Monica, CA.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 7th at Oakdale Cemetery located on Twombley Road in Sanford.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the care Chuck received at Avita of Wells.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory can be made to: Lake Stewards of Maine 24 Maple Hill Road Auburn, ME 04210. (www.lakestewardsofmaine.org)

Arrangements are under the direction of Black-Heald & Walker Funeral Home, 580 Main Street in Springvale.