Charles R. Doering, age 65, of Ann Arbor, MI, died on May 15, 2021, surrounded by his family, after a challenging year with esophageal cancer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Paula Harlen Doering, children Adrienne Moira Licata (Thomas Licata), Emily Harlen Doering-White (John Doering-White), Evan Harlen Doering, sisters Elizabeth Doering (Greg Staley) and Elaine Teevens (John Teevens), and three wonderful grandchildren, Sophia Grace Licata, Vivian Ruth Licata and Charles Alexander Doering-White, (Arlo).
Charlie was born in Philadelphia on January 7, 1956 and grew up in Norman OK, Fairfax VA, Annapolis MD and Schenectady NY before leaving home for Antioch College where he studied many things culminating in a BS degree in mathematics and physics in 1977.
He continued his studies in physics at the University of Cincinnati, receiving his MS in 1978, after which he moved to the San Francisco Bay area first to play music with remnants of his college band, and ultimately to work as a research scientist in Silicon Valley.
Scientific curiosity drove Charlie to enroll in The University of Texas at Austin where he earned his Ph.D in mathematical physics in 1985. Following a year of postdoctoral research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a faculty position in the physics department at Clarkson University in Potsdam NY, and a return to Los Alamos as research staff, Charlie was recruited to the University of Michigan as professor of mathematics in 1996.
At the time of his passing, Charlie was the N.D. Kazarinoff Collegiate Professor of Complex Systems, Mathematics and Physics and was the Director of the Center of Complex Systems.
Research and teaching brought Charlie tremendous joy. He delighted in shared discoveries and insights, and perhaps most of all in the satisfaction of learning from his many wonderful collaborators and from students at all levels.
Charlie was a big Grateful Dead fan who loved to travel and visit with collaborators and friends all over the world. He especially enjoyed spending summers with collaborators, friends and family in Woods Hole MA. Cape Cod held a special place in his heart. He also loved Michigan football and could be seen biking around town in his yellow suit before kickoff on football Saturdays.
An in-person celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. The family wishes to thank Arbor Hospice for their care. In lieu of flowers we suggest donations to feeding the hungry and homeless in our community through First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor Local Missions (1432 Washtenaw Ave.) or Food Gatherers of Ann Arbor.