Charles Hicks “Chuck” McGowen
Charles Hicks “Chuck” McGowen, age 90, husband, father, grandfather and photographer, of Newark, Delaware, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 23, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.
Chuck had an irresistible laugh that could fill a room. He was born in Kansas, Alabama, in 1932, to Effie Elizabeth and Moses Dudley McGowen and had three sisters and six brothers. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1953 to 1955 and attended University of Alabama. He married Judith Stanert in 1955, and they had 68 anniversaries together.
At a young age Chuck became fascinated with photography and was mentored by his sister June’s husband, Ed Jones, who was a Birmingham News photographer. That early interest grew into an award-winning photojournalism career with the News-Journal where he eventually served as Director of Photography and Special Projects Photographer. Throughout his career Chuck received many awards and accolades including being named Pennsylvania Photographer of the year three times, National Press Photographer’s Association Regional Photographer of the Year, and three Pulitzer nominations. Chuck retired from the News Journal after 35 years and continued to do freelance photography.
Chuck was an avid runner, tennis player, fisherman, and an enthusiastic gardener. He loved to collect and fly kites at the Jersey shore and became known as the “Kite Man”.
In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by his siblings Thelma, William Hoyt, George, Bob, Joel, and Clyde.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith; daughters, Diane Dukes, Barbara Miriello, and Rebecca Mercer (Bob); cherished grandchildren, Alex and Wesley Miriello, Evan Jackewicz, and Robert James and Anna Beth Mercer; sisters, June Jones and Betty McVay; and brother, Jim McGowen.
The McGowen family would like to extend a special thank you to Delaware Hospice for their care and compassion.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chuck’s memory to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center 2nd Floor Polly Drummond Shopping Center Newark, DE 19711 or online by clicking here.
Katie & Alvaro Rivera
Chuck was the daddy of our dear niece-in-law, Becky Mercer. He and his (surviving) beautiful wife Judy were a very special part of Mercer-McGowan get togethers at Bob & Becky’s home. Chuck always had a smile on his face, a hardy laugh at whatever struck him as funny. We thought of him as a kind man and always cheerful. We will miss him. We send our love and condolences to Judy, their 3 daughters, and the grandchildren.
Larry Nagengast
Chuck was an outstanding photographer — a giant among giants in the 1970s, when the News Journal’s photo staff included Chuck, Fred Comegys, Pat Crowe, Donaghey Brown, Bob Herbert, Kevin Fleming and Leo Matkins. It’s still hard to believe that so much excellence could be concentrated in the photography team of a mid-sized newspaper.
Chuck wasn’t just a photographer. He was a gentleman — kind, courteous and a friend to everyone he met. He will never be forgotten.
May all his family cherish the wonderful memories they have of this remarkable man.
Rest well, Chuck. Yours was a life well lived.
Stephanie Whyche
As a former reporter and colleague of Chuck’s at The New Journal I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones on this sad occasion.
fred comegys
Chuck was a good friend and photographer, and I remember our highly contested tennis matches/ and lunches with our fellow photographers. But most of all our telephone conversations where we ended up laughing aloud like two little kids!
Love you and will miss you/ fred comegys