Charles Rettew Buckwalter, Jr.

Charles “Charlie” Rettew Buckwalter Jr., 95, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Maryland, leaving behind a legacy of faith, resilience, love, and extraordinary perseverance.

Charlie was born on February 4, 1931, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Charles R. Buckwalter Sr. and Christina C. Buckwalter. He was raised with strong values that would guide him throughout a life marked by both remarkable achievements and profound personal trials.

A bright and ambitious young man, Charlie served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict as a Fire Control Specialist and was stationed in Alaska.  He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sargent.  Following his discharge, he attended Columbia University under the GI Bill, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Advertising. His education became the foundation for an accomplished career in publishing, media, advertising, and international business spanning decades.

In 1951, Charlie married his high school sweetheart, Joan Agnes Marie Steinhauser, and together they welcomed their daughter, Regina. In one of life’s earliest and deepest heartbreaks, Charlie suffered the loss of their infant daughter, Regina, followed shortly by the loss of Joan due to complications from diabetes.  These profound losses shaped him deeply and became part of the story of a man who would continue choosing hope, purpose, and faith despite unimaginable sorrow.

In 1964, Charlie volunteered with the Peace Corps in Bogotá, Colombia.  In that role, Charlie was the first Peace Corps volunteer assigned to the job of helping small businessmen learn how to put U.S. advertising techniques to work.  He received near unanimous support from Colombian business and the government community for his efforts and made great strides transforming and modernizing how small businesses reached their customers.  During this time, he met his future wife, Martha Diaz-Granados de Prado, an executive secretary, while stepping off an elevator.  Martha became his beloved wife.  They were married on December 26, 1964.  They were married for 57 years and together built a beautiful life rooted in love, adventure, devotion, and family before Martha’s death in 2023.

Charlie and Martha first made their home in Montville, New Jersey, where they raised their three children: Albert, Jo-Ann, and Marta (“Titi”), who preceded him in death in 1984. Later, after the heartbreaking loss of their youngest daughter, the family relocated to Miami, Florida.

Professionally, Charlie was a visionary, entrepreneur, and pioneer in international publishing and advertising. His impressive career included leadership positions at Billboard Magazine, where he launched and served as Publisher of Billboard en Español; The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald; Thomas International Publishing; and Tiempos del Mundo, a division of The Washington Times.

Never one to slow down, Charlie later founded Conexion International Limited and eventually co-founded Conexion International Media, Inc. with his son Albert. Together, they built successful national trade publications, including Litigation Support Today and Paralegal Today, along with professional development conferences serving the legal communities. Charlie continued working in the field he loved until just months before his passing, a testament to his drive, intellect, and enduring passion for life.

Charlie was larger than life—charismatic, intelligent, witty, deeply relational, and endlessly hardworking. Fluent in Spanish, he embraced his Colombian family and culture wholeheartedly, maintaining deep bonds and constant communication throughout his life.

Yet perhaps Charlie’s proudest and most meaningful accomplishment was not professional, but personal and spiritual. Charlie was a grateful member of the Alcoholics Anonymous community and celebrated 47 years of sobriety. He often credited his sobriety as one of God’s greatest gifts in his life and held deep gratitude for his AA brothers and sisters, whom he considered family.

Charlie was a devout Catholic and a faithful long-time congregant of the Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, Florida where he was a member of the choir.  His faith was the cornerstone of his life. Through life’s triumphs and tragedies, he leaned on God, the Blessed Mother Mary, and the promises of eternal life. His devotion never wavered, and his family finds peace knowing he is now reunited in heaven with his beloved wife Martha, daughters Marta & Regina, brother Albert, sister Mary, and those who went before him.

Charlie is survived by his loving children, Albert J. Buckwalter (Tammany Buckwalter) and Jo-Ann M. Miller (Christopher Miller); his cherished grandsons Gregory C. McDonald (Sarah Gutierrez), Andrew C. Buckwalter (Ady Buckwalter), and Christophers S. Buckwalter; and many beloved extended family members and dear friends across the United States and Colombia.

Charlie’s life was one of reinvention, redemption, faith, love, and endurance. He knew great joy, devastating loss, hard-earned transformation, and unwavering devotion to family and God.  He leaves behind not only professional accomplishments, but a story of resilience and grace that will continue to inspire all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Missionary Society of St. Columban

Well done, good and faithful servant.

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