Our beloved elder, Charles “Chuck” Overton Berlinghof, embarked on his final adventure and departed this life on 3 June 2025, having reached the impressive age of 94. Born on 28 December 1930 in Binghamton, NY, Chuck was the first-born child of Dr. Clifton Harold Berlinghof and Barbara Fowler (Cone) Berlinghof.
Chuck grew up quickly during the Great Depression, becoming man of the house at age 11 when his father enlisted in the Army as a Dr. Major (and later Dr. Col.) during WWII. Many years later, Chuck was deeply moved by the 1998 book “The Greatest Generation,” and wrote a letter to author Tom Brokaw recounting the story of his father’s military service. His father’s service record is now included in the Honor Roll of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA.
Throughout his youth Chuck excelled in academics and sport. He was an honor roll student and participated in tennis, football, ski club, track and field, and ROTC at Binghamton Central High School. He was elected Senior Class President in 1948 and later received a scholarship to his mother’s alma mater of Cornell University. While attending Cornell, Chuck served as captain of the 150lbs football team, became a brother of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, and graduated with his Engineering degree in 1953.
After graduating from Cornell with high honors, Chuck went into the US Armed Forces and was stationed in Germany from 1954-56 as a First Lieutenant. After returning from overseas, he began a longstanding career in construction and earned both respect and success in his field.
Throughout his career, Chuck rose to prominence as a valued manager of Vincent J Smith, Salter Company, and Gilbane Building Company, heading many construction projects in major cities. Chuck built countless hospitals, medical centers, pharmaceutical facilities, university campuses, and airports across the nation. His projects included Wien Stadium at Columbia University, Terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport, McCarter Theatre at Princeton University, Pfizer Laboratory, UChicago Medicine, Bird Library at Syracuse University, McKillop Library at Salve Regina University, to name a few.
Chuck retired from Gilbane in 1995, but returned to the field in 2016 at the age of 86 to assist in the restoration of the historic Opera House (Newport Performing Arts Center) in Newport’s Washington Square. He served as the owner’s representative for the Board of Trustees until early 2024, and would be pleased to know of the restoration’s progress.
Besides his profession, Chuck was an accomplished alpine skier and won many slalom and downhill racing competitions. He was also fond of golf and tennis, which he continued to play well into his 80s. He was a member of the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI and was an original investor in the Newport National Golf Club. Chuck was an active member of his local community through various clubs and initiatives, which included serving on the Board of Directors for organizations such as Binghamton Boys Club and Stow Manufacturing.
Chuck was predeceased by his loving parents; his son, Clifton Robert Berlinghof; his first wife of 22 years, Gretchen (Schuster) Berlinghof of Pittsburgh, PA; and his second wife of 19 years, Lesley (Lamb) Berlinghof of Hazel Grove, UK.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 23 years, Mary (O’Connor) Berlinghof; his younger siblings, David Miller Berlinghof of Glenview, IL and Barbara “Bonnie” Cone Berlinghof of Nevis, West Indies/Binghamton, NY; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathryn Elizabeth and Robert Stebbins of Alpharetta, GA, Amy Schuster and James Mitchell of Newport, RI; two extended children, Mark and Rosalind Willett of Victoria, Australia; eight grandchildren, Jameson and Katherine Mitchell, Charles and Christina Stebbins, Jack and Henry Hosking, and Larry and Fergus Willett; two nieces and one nephew, Jennifer (Berlinghof) Corcoran, Marnie (Berlinghof) McCall, and Todd Berlinghof.
Chuck was a long-time resident of Newport, RI and spent the past 20+ years living in the historic Point neighborhood. He could often be found walking his Jack Russell Terriers in Storer Park and would always tip his hat in greeting to those he encountered before engaging them into conversation. He will be fondly remembered as a generous, gentle, enlightened man who advocated for conservation and enjoyed history, nature, and the friendship of many. His light-hearted charisma, gregarious personality, and steadfast moral character will be forever valued and missed.
A memorial service in celebration of Chuck’s life will be held on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, at Jesus Saviour Church on Broadway at 10:00 AM. His remains will be laid to rest later in Binghamton, NY at the Vestal Hills Cemetery alongside his parents and son. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made in Chuck’s memory to the Newport Performing Arts Center, an organization that was near and dear to his heart.