Charles Akers Obituary

AKERS, Charles Charles W. Akers, of Charleston, S.C., died February 1, 2009. He was born April 2, 1920, in Indianapolis, IN, the son of Rev. Ira and Mary Bird Akers. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. He was a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA, and received his M.A. and Ph.D. from Boston University. He taught American History at ENC, Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, and at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI, from where he retired in 1995. Dr. Akers was the author of several historical books including The Divine Politician, a biography of Samuel Cooper, which was the winner of the American Revolution Roundtable Award; Abigail Adams: An American Woman, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and received the Colonial Dames of America Annual Book Award; and was co-author of Bo McMillan: Man and Legend. He was a member of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, the American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, and an Associate of Early American History and Culture. He was the winner of the Oakland University Excellence in Research Award and the Distinguished Faculty Award of the Michigan Association of Governing Boards. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Eleanor, two daughters, Marcie Levardsen of Flint, MI; Carolyn Quinto and her husband Bob of Bristol, CT; and son Jeffrey and his wife Laurie of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was the proud grandfather of ten: Emily, Carolyn and Anne Levardsen, Justin, Michael and Andrew Quinto, and Samantha, Eliza, Gracie and Tessa Akers. He is also survived by two nieces and a nephew. The family is planning a private celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Habitat for Humanity or an educational institution of one's choice. Arrangements are being made by THE PALMETTO CREMATION SOCIETY. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.