Obituary of Charles Race

Charles Orson ("C.O.") Race, Jr. of Stuart, Florida, dearly loved by all family and friends, passed away May 16, 2013 at age 86. Born January 18, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois the only child to Charles Orson Race and Mary Dudley Race (Hahn), "C.O." later moved to Barrington Hills, Illinois where he spent most of his adult life.

C.O. graduated from Elgin Academy, Elgin, IL and enlisted in the Navy in 1945, finishing basic training at Great Lakes, Glenview, IL when World War II ended, prompting the self-proclaimed sobriquet "Four-Minute Veteran". He continued his education at Carleton College, Northfield, MN where he majored in Economics and met his future wife Nancy Marie Zimmerman, both graduating in 1950. He married Nancy on November 17, 1951, and enjoyed 26 blessed and happy years of marriage. After Nancy went to the Lord in May, 1987, C.O. married Ruth Mary [Pasco] Spiker, a resident of Stuart, on June 4, 1988 to whom he was happily married for 25 years. C.O. and Ruth retired to Mariner Sands Country Club, Stuart, FL in 2005.

C.O. spent his professional career in real estate property management and investment, rising to become managing partner of Ritchie Realty & Co., Chicago, IL, a real estate firm specializing in managing apartment properties. He was a member of several professional and social clubs during his career, including The Realty Club of Chicago, the University Club of Chicago, and Barrington Hills Country Club, where he served as President and greatly distinguished himself as seven-time club golf champion. C.O. also counted sailing, travelling and bridge as his hobbies. C.O. and his family were long time and faithful members of St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Barrington, IL. C.O. brought joy, happiness, wisdom and humor to all he encountered, was a marvelous dancer, and was a true ladies man, the latter of which was in great evidence throughout the week of his passing.

In addition to his wife Ruth Mary, C.O. is survived by sons Charles Arthur (Karen) Race, John Dudley (Sandra) Race, and Thomas Crawford (Kathy) Race, step-son J. Scott (Nancy) Spiker, and step-daughter Anne (Andrew) Heller, and adored grandchildren Jason Charles, Mariel Catherine, Nathan James, Tasia Marie, and Nicole Marie, John Dudley, Jr., Amanda Elizabeth, and Tommy, and Zachary Race, step-grandchildren children Margaret and Madeline Spiker, Alex, Heidi, and Blake Heller, and devoted care-giver and dear friend Magda Leiva. C.O. was pre-deceased by his son Charles' first wife Teresa Ann (Neufeldt) Race.

A memorial Eucharist service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 623 Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, Florida on Saturday, May 25, 2013, 11:00 a.m., with reception for family and friends to immediately follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in his name be made to either Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Stuart, FL, or St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 647 Dundee Ave., Barrington, IL 60010. Internment will be at St. Michael's Church. Questions about the service can be directed to St. Mary's Episcopal Church at (772) 287-3244, or Forest Hills Funeral Home, 6801 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 223-9300.