FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Mary FongWalker]

It is with sadness that we have to report that Charlie Key has passed. He was one of the great ones: pioneer, explorer, gourmand, connoisseur, and world traveler in the never ending quest for minerals. He was passionate, inquisitive, patient, and always a gentleman. He will be missed.

[John Medici]

Knew Charlie since he had a shop near Great Notch in NJ (early 1960's). RIP Charlie!

[John S. White]

Charles was a very dear friend. The Walkers stated very well what it was that made him special. This is a great loss to the mineral community.

[Peter Megaw]

Sir Charles in action at TGMS.

I felt I had arrived as a collector when Charles looked at a recently acquired specimen in my collection and said "that's an important piece!"...and almost equally pleased when he tasted a nice red I had served him and he said "that's a good drop!".

The man knew how to savor every aspect of life...and how to do so as often as possible!

[Jordi Fabre]

Rest in peace Charlie, no one can say that you did not deserve to rest.
How many thousand specimens bear your signature in the collections and Museums around the world... Maybe not your name, because you always wanted to be discreet, but behind so many, many, pieces was you.

Adeu Company, Africa and many friends we are sad.

[John S. White]

A photo from a very memorable session in 2014 with Charles in Tucson.