07/19/10 - NNHS Newsletter - Charles Lee Tench

Charles Lee Tench, Jr.
(29 Apr 1922 - 16 July 2010)

Newport News High School Class of June 1942

   In another of life's amazing "coincidences", I had just scanned in his image from his senior yearbook as a member of the Beacon staff the morning after he died - though I had no knowledge of it at the time.  That's him on the front row, second from the left.

http://nnhs65.com/SITE-MAP.html

     http://nnhs65.com/BEACON-Staffs.html

NEWPORT NEWS - Charles Lee Tench Jr., a lifetime resident of Newport News, passed away Friday, July 16, 2010, at the age of 88.

Mr. Tench was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Heide; infant son, Dirk Dieter; and a brother, Robert Henry Tench.

He is survived by his two sons, the Honorable Charles Peter Tench and his wife, Becky, Frederick Robert Tench and his wife, Kara, five grandchildren, Emily Bowman and her husband, Andy, Charles Patrick Tench and his wife, Kyle, Zachary Charles Lee, Alec Keifer and Noah Conner; one great-grandchild, Charles Lucas Bowman, and four sisters, Marguerite Grim, twin sister, Agnes Gatling (Sis), Mary B. (Aquilla) Smith, and Geradine Green.

He was a graduate of Newport News High School, Christopher Newport University, the FBI Advance Latent Fingerprint School, the FBI Law Enforcement and Police Administration School, the Institute of Applied Science in Scientific Crime Detection, and the Bolan Academy. He also had a Bachelor of Law degree from Blackstone School of Law in Chicago, Ill.

Following graduation from high school, Charles Lee joined the United States Army and served as a combat infantry man in Europe during WWII. He was awarded the Expert Infantry Man's Badge, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Bronze Star for Valor. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Army in 1951, he joined what then was the Warwick County Police Force, as a patrolman, but soon began working primarily in fingerprints and criminal investigations. In 1972, he was promoted to Captain of the Central Records Bureau and Criminal Investigations. He was nationally recognized for his expertise in fingerprinting and provided crucial expert testimony in numerous high profile cases throughout the state. He taught in the city's police academy for 20 years.

Upon retirement from the City of Newport News, Captain Tench began a second career at the Hampton Social Services Department, working in child protective services investigating child abuse and neglect. After a year, he transferred into the agency's adult services division, where he spent the remainder of his 10 year tenure.

After his second retirement, Captain Tench pursued his lifelong interest in writing - he became a 'human interest writer' and his stories were frequently featured in the Daily Press. He received several Writers Digest awards for his outstanding accomplishment. His interest in writing culminated with the publication of his book, April Mist.

His hobbies include raising and racing homing pigeons, winning many trophies and high profile races. He also enjoyed carpentry and gardening. He loved roses most of all and took great pride in cultivating his spectacular rose gardens.

He was a true gentleman - slow to speak, quick to listen, steadfast in his values, and compassionate to all. His life was one of dignity, kindness, and service to others. He will be missed by all of the many people he touched, most especially his family, who he adored, provided for, and protected always. Farewell.

Funeral and burial, by the Rev. Peter Sousa, Pastor of St. Joseph and St. Mary by the Sea Catholic Churches, will be private.

Memorials may be sent to the Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula, 429 Thorncliffe Drive, Newport News, VA 23603.

Please leave online condolences at www.wjsmithandsonfh.com.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at http://www.dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press from July 19 to July 20, 2010.