04 February 2024
Repose en paix, Charles-Henry
I learned late yesterday afternoon that my friend CHM passed away on Friday. He had been in an assisted living facility for several years after falling and breaking his hip in 2020. He was at his house in Arlington, Virginia, when the accident happened, and he wasn't able to come back to France after that because he couldn't walk. He had celebrated his 99th birthday last December and hoped to be able to live to be 100.
I wrote this post about him and our friendship back in the spring of 2020. In it you'll see what I think is the last photo I ever took of him. It was in 2016. More tomorrow...
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Oh dear, he was a wonderful person. His responses to my emails became slower and slower and I wondered if this was on the horizon. Dearest chm, I'm thinking of you, and will have to make a margarita toast in your honor at that little Mexican restaurant near the Salton Sea. Sad, sad, sad my friend, you are missed already.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could go to Salton City and that restaurant with you, D. Charles-Henry left a couple of comments on one of my posts last week. I thought maybe he was doing better, and maybe he was. I'm glad his passing was peaceful.
DeleteI wish you could too Ken. Thanks for letting me know I’ll look for his comments. I had to travel and didn’t see them.
DeleteIt was one of CHM's nieces who called me yesterday and gave me the news. She lives in Grenoble, has never been to the U.S. as far as I know, and didn't know CHM very well, really. We talked for a good hour yesterday evening.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read of your friend's passing, Ken and Walt. He looked a grand fellow. I enjoyed his many interesting comments over the years on your blogs. R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteFrom Pats in England.
Very sorry for your loss with CHM's passing. He sounds like he was a person who contributed only good things to this world, and was a loyal partner and friend. I always enjoyed his ripostes and educated comments. A member of the Greatest Generation.
ReplyDeleteWe are very sorry to hear this. He lived a long and fulfilled life, even if the latter years were difficult for him. I will miss his comments on your blogs.
ReplyDeleteRIP, CHM!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you both at this sad time. RIP CHM. Rod.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this, Charles Henri was a wonderful guy. I am glad Lewis and I were able to meet him. I remember he made a comment here not long ago. We are all going to miss him.
ReplyDeleteoh Ken so sorry for the loss of your longtime friend.....
ReplyDeleteSad news, take time and take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of the passing of such a good friend. I'm sorry I never got to meet him but I am glad you had such a good friend for so long a time.
ReplyDeleteI never managed to get CHM to come to Morehead. He met MA when she and I drove to California in 1998 (and Ann had her stroke). CHM was a character, for sure.
DeleteSo sorry to hear this very sad news. His comments on your blog were always interesting and informative.
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
Oh, Ken. I'm at a loss for words. I enjoyed hearing more about your friendship with chm, during our day touring Chambord, when you so kindly drove Betsy, Doug, and me around. I know that his comments sometimes exasperated you, but I enjoyed seeing your back-and-forth discussions, because you both had so much knowledge to share. I wondered how he was doing, as his comments became infrequent lately... I was glad to see his most recent comment, not long ago. What a long life he had, and I'm sure it was filled with adventures. You were a very good friend to him.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Ken. Charles-Henry was someone I've known via anecdote and comment for more than 30 years. His insights and historical and cultural knowledge will be missed.
ReplyDeleteThat was Chrissoup
ReplyDeleteI had an inkling when CHM had not been commenting. Even though I only knew him from our written banter back and forth and his contributions to your blog I always felt we had developed a 'friendship'
ReplyDeleteHe certainly had made many historical comments to your photos and the two of you had such a lasting relationship that we all got to share in the retelling of past events. Since I had lived in Palm Desert for two years I always felt a kinship to him even though I had only driven past the Salton Sea. Recently, when I typed some of my comments, I especially enjoyed using some metaphors and adjective phrases that I was wondering if he might ask for help from you, Ken, in understanding the meaning. I would have liked to have met him in person, shared a coffee or some wine and let him share more about his life experiences. He obviously had many fond memories of you and Walt. I will miss him.
I think this may have been his last post here- not so long ago really, "chm26 January, 2024 12:37
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that sundowns are more spectacular than sunrises, however, I like the latter better because sunrises are the beginning of the day!"
Such an optimisic outlook! Gosh I miss him but we all have the memories.
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Thanks for finding that for us, Evelyn.
DeleteI'm very sorry to hear Charles Henry has died. He was very supportive of us bloggers in France and I have always been glad you introduced us IRL. I will miss his comments and insights.
ReplyDelete