Charles (“Chuck”) Philip Heywood, of Martinez, Georgia, passed away on February 17, 2024, after a long illness.
Chuck was born in Utica, NY, on January 26, 1942, to Dr. James Soper Heywood and Mary Louise Goldsmith. He attended Williams College (Class of ’64) and, later, the University of Minnesota for graduate school, where he met Sandra Lupton Swain, whom he married. Chuck and Sandy moved to Berkeley, California, where they had two children before Sandy’s passing in 1980.
Chuck worked for Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco before moving his family to Augusta, Georgia, for a retail opportunity. He later worked in real estate before settling into the job he was undoubtedly born to do: teach. For 27 years, Chuck taught English at both Evans and Lakeside High Schools, where he developed the AP English curriculum and founded a nationally competitive debate team. Thirteen times, “Mr. Heywood” was selected as Columbia County’s STAR teacher, which honors Georgia’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers most instrumental in their academic development. Mr. Heywood was a beloved educator who positively impacted countless students, a labor of love that he would readily describe as his life’s passion. Years into retirement, Chuck was routinely visited by former students to share the stories of their lives and appreciation for his lasting influence.
Chuck was a quick wit who relished his role as “local liberal” in biting letters to the Editor. He was an eloquent writer and combined that gift with a keen interest in genealogy when, in 2019, at the age of 77, he published a comprehensive book on the family’s history. Chuck loved cooking and exploring new cuisines, was a voracious reader, and enjoyed gardening and the occasional glass of good wine.
Chuck is survived by his two children, Jessica Heywood of Washington, D.C. (Greg Kaufman) and Samuel Heywood of Portland, OR (Molly Mager), to whom he was devoted, four adoring grandchildren (Laura Belle, Georgia, Josie, and Hank), his beloved sister Margaret “Peg” Kellogg, and his longtime partner, loving collaborator, and unwavering foundation, Mary Henderson Hull. Mary continues to live (and garden) in the house they built together in Martinez, Georgia.
The family will hold a private memorial. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
Thank you Skip Dunn for posting Chuck's obituary. Through it, I was able to learn of his passing. I did know he was very ill. He has been my best friend since freshman year at Williams when we were assigned to be roommates, now over 63 years ago. We have always been there for each other through divorces and deaths of parents on both our sides. Chuck's IQ was at least 10 points higher than mine, and he was much more of an intellectual. I was drawn to him because he stimulated my mind just conversing with him, but honestly I was never able to really understand what he was trying to tell me about the writings of Richard Rorty, a philosopher and his greatest mentor. He also reveled in poetry, which I've always had trouble understanding. I've written about ten books, greatly aided by his generous advanced English teacher help. I never was able to admit to him that a lot of my satisfaction in writing books was trying to reach his intellectual level. In many ways, we were very different. I like to vent about my problems in my life, and he was a good listener. He kept things close to his vest and hardly ever talked about his problems. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and Chuck kept his emotions very much in check. Somehow we made our relationship work, and it was a great 63+ years. There was a private memorial service for the family, but if I hear of a public service, I will post it.
Dick "Skip" Dunn
https://www.augustachronicle.com/obituaries/pgsc0732708
Charles (“Chuck”) Philip Heywood, of Martinez, Georgia, passed away on February 17, 2024, after a long illness.
Chuck was born in Utica, NY, on January 26, 1942, to Dr. James Soper Heywood and Mary Louise Goldsmith. He attended Williams College (Class of ’64) and, later, the University of Minnesota for graduate school, where he met Sandra Lupton Swain, whom he married. Chuck and Sandy moved to Berkeley, California, where they had two children before Sandy’s passing in 1980.
Chuck worked for Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco before moving his family to Augusta, Georgia, for a retail opportunity. He later worked in real estate before settling into the job he was undoubtedly born to do: teach. For 27 years, Chuck taught English at both Evans and Lakeside High Schools, where he developed the AP English curriculum and founded a nationally competitive debate team. Thirteen times, “Mr. Heywood” was selected as Columbia County’s STAR teacher, which honors Georgia’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers most instrumental in their academic development. Mr. Heywood was a beloved educator who positively impacted countless students, a labor of love that he would readily describe as his life’s passion. Years into retirement, Chuck was routinely visited by former students to share the stories of their lives and appreciation for his lasting influence.
Chuck was a quick wit who relished his role as “local liberal” in biting letters to the Editor. He was an eloquent writer and combined that gift with a keen interest in genealogy when, in 2019, at the age of 77, he published a comprehensive book on the family’s history. Chuck loved cooking and exploring new cuisines, was a voracious reader, and enjoyed gardening and the occasional glass of good wine.
Chuck is survived by his two children, Jessica Heywood of Washington, D.C. (Greg Kaufman) and Samuel Heywood of Portland, OR (Molly Mager), to whom he was devoted, four adoring grandchildren (Laura Belle, Georgia, Josie, and Hank), his beloved sister Margaret “Peg” Kellogg, and his longtime partner, loving collaborator, and unwavering foundation, Mary Henderson Hull. Mary continues to live (and garden) in the house they built together in Martinez, Georgia.
The family will hold a private memorial. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
Posted online on February 23, 2024
Published in Augusta Chronicle
Richard Plumer
Thank you Skip Dunn for posting Chuck's obituary. Through it, I was able to learn of his passing. I did know he was very ill. He has been my best friend since freshman year at Williams when we were assigned to be roommates, now over 63 years ago. We have always been there for each other through divorces and deaths of parents on both our sides. Chuck's IQ was at least 10 points higher than mine, and he was much more of an intellectual. I was drawn to him because he stimulated my mind just conversing with him, but honestly I was never able to really understand what he was trying to tell me about the writings of Richard Rorty, a philosopher and his greatest mentor. He also reveled in poetry, which I've always had trouble understanding. I've written about ten books, greatly aided by his generous advanced English teacher help. I never was able to admit to him that a lot of my satisfaction in writing books was trying to reach his intellectual level. In many ways, we were very different. I like to vent about my problems in my life, and he was a good listener. He kept things close to his vest and hardly ever talked about his problems. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and Chuck kept his emotions very much in check. Somehow we made our relationship work, and it was a great 63+ years. There was a private memorial service for the family, but if I hear of a public service, I will post it.