CDR Charles Chaplin Baggs, CEC, USN (Ret.) was born 25 November 1931 in Jonesboro, GA.  He died 13 December 2002 in Fort Collins, CO, of pancreatic cancer after a brief illness.  Charlie entered the Naval Academy via NAPS after three years of enlisted service. 

He began his Naval career in the Civil Engineer Corps, attending RPI for a BS Civil Engineering degree and later Princeton for his Masters Degree.  His tours included Vietnam with the Seabees, various stateside bases, and his deep involvement in the initial construction of a runway and other facilities within 90 days on Diego Garcia Island.  Charlie was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for his service in Vietnam and the Meritorious Service Medal for his work at Diego Garcia.

On 1 April 1972 Charlie married Barbara Nelson Moody and created a happy combined family of six children.  After retirement in 1975, Charlie used his education and Navy career experiences as a civil engineer in regional government and private practice, which even included a few years as a rancher. He earned his PhD in hydraulics at Colorado State University and later taught at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Barbara Nelson Baggs, of Fort Collins, Colorado and their six children:  Susan Wedeman, David Moody, Scott Baggs, Karen Frary, Diane Belak, and Ellis Baggs.  In addition, there are now eleven grandchildren.  Charlie was quiet and unassuming, with a great sense of humor and fairness, and a genuine interest in everyone. His love for his Navy never diminished.