Obituaries

The noble profession of the Family General Practitioner has sadly become a lost art and one of Fremont’s founding GP’s left us on January 13, 2018. Charles (Charlie) N. Wilkins, Jr. M.D, began his practice in 1963 at the corner of Paseo Padre and Mowry. Country life was still much a part of this city with streets lined in cherry and apricot orchards, family businesses were flourishing, and a brand new hospital was built at the center of town. A doctor’s life revolved around the care of his patients 24 hours a-day, and Charlie loved caring for not just his patient, but the entire family. Dr. Wilkins was known for his caring bedside manners. Through spending time with his patients and talking, Charlie was able to piece together and diagnose alignments that were not always obvious. Looking past just the individual and digging into family history and problems, he could piece together a diagnosis. He delighted in bringing babies into the world, being a family doctor, and assisting in surgeries. As a country doctor, payment for services often involved a lot of bartering: eggs, meats, lumber, or discounts on services, bringing him a fortune in friendships that would last a lifetime.

In the beginning, Charlie the first of identical twins and his brother, James, were born May 8, 1924 in Philadelphia. Known as double trouble from their very first steps they sought out the world together testing their trikes out on the dining table, fishing and canoeing at a family cabin in New Jersey, playing tricks on teachers, double dating, and forming childhood friendships with a gang of 8. At 18, Charlie enlisted into the Army Aircorp to serve his country in World War II. Through the infantry, 94th Chemical Mortar Battalion, Coast Artillery and finally as a Lieutenant in the Navy Medical Corp, Charlie embraced a passion for learning and protecting life. While finishing his medical training at Hahnemann Medical College to become a Family General Practitioner, he set his sights on a girl he’d known growing up, Myrtice Hurd. Charlie and Tice had a wonderful 62 year marriage that gave the world 4 wonderful children, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Through this marriage, Charlie and Tice sought to make this world a better place. They saw a need in Fremont for a youth counseling service. With the support of a Cal State University Hayward (East Bay) professor and student interns, they started the Washington Township Counseling Services – in the back of his office. This was the first counseling service to open in Fremont and was offered free of charge. Charlie and Tice also became certified by the county to provide emergency foster care to children and teens who had run away or were in need of temporary care. They took in almost 40 children.

Charlie was also proud of the many organizations he belonged to: he was a life-long supporter of the Boys Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout award along with his twin brother, assisting in scouting activities throughout his life, and being proud to not only see his son, but two grandsons become Eagle Scouts. In 1948, Charlie joined the Masons and maintained his Philadelphia membership for 70 years in addition to his memberships with the Centerville Masons, Scottish Rites and Shriners. He also loved to socialize with friends from SIRS, Cybergeezers, the Fremont Senior Center, members of his church, and a steadfast group of local doctors who shared his compassion for life.

Charlie and Tice devoted their lives to a love for service, family, friends, travel, and their little rescue dog, Scruffy who lit up their lives for 19 years.

Charlie has now joined his wife, Tice, daughter Robin, and brother James. He is survived by his daughters Wendy and Mary, son Charles; son and daughter in-laws George, BJ, Jim and Karen; his adored grandchildren (and their spouses): Jessie Winsted, Jenny Wilson (husband Sean), Nancy Weaver (husband Jason), Cheech Patane (wife Kayla), Jason and Chris Sikkel, Charlie (fiancée Emily) , Andrew, Sunni, and George Wilkins in addition to 7 great-grandchildren Olen and Arlo Blomberg, Georgia and Charlie Wilson, Lincoln Weaver, Addison and John Patane, devoted sister, Frances, along with his extended family Vicki and Edward Winsted. He also had many nieces whom were very important to him, in addition to his good friends Tim and Karen Hood and Valerie Schreijer. He will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, Charles’ family requests help to carry on his work through donations to Sulphur Creek Nature Center, your local animal shelter in memory of Scruffy, your favorite educational group, or to an Alzheimer’s organization.