Tributes paid to Charles Elder who worked at Bournemouth and Southampton University

Charles Elder, 59, was born in Missouri and raised in Kansas but later lived in Broadstone.

Charles Elder

He met his wife Anne in Winfield, Kansas in 1983 during her gap year and the pair were married in 1985 whilst Anne was still a medical student.

Charles worked at Bournemouth University for 15 years before relocating to Southampton University in 2011.

Along with his passion for media and communication, Charles was a passionate armchair sportsman and supported American football team Kansas City Chiefs and baseball team Kansas City Royals.

He also supported A.F.C. Bournemouth.

Charles was well-known for his ability to retain knowledge and was a keen quiz member at the Lambs Green pub.

His exceptional trivia knowledge also helped him land an appearance on ITV's The Chase.

But, Charles' enjoyment of a variety of sports and trivia will not be the only thing he will be remembered for.

His daughter Hannah Elder, 30, said: "My dad will be remembered firstly for his library of dad jokes. But mainly, for his amazing natural ability to make friends with anyone.

"He has such fantastic stories and I’m sure these stories will be repeated and passed down for years to come.

"Dad was the most caring and charismatic guy I know. He was always cracking a dad joke and cheering everyone up. He was incredibly witty. He never took things too seriously and loved life. He was so incredibly sweet, loving and gentle and always put others first."

Anne and Charles have two children, Hannah and Jake, and fostered five children, and have a 'chosen' daughter called Mary.

The pair also have a cat called Bigs, eight nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews, the majority of whom live in America.

Anne's mother, Charles' mother-in-law, Pamela Biss said: "Charles was a loving, kind, gentle, and moral man, who was comforting, calming, caring, highly intelligent but always modest with a great sense of humour and fun. He was an amazing husband, father and a very special part of our whole family.

"He was the rock of our whole family, especially Anne and his children. He would have made the perfect grandfather."

After nearly 36 years of marriage, Anne has described Charles as her "anchor."

She said: "For me he was my anchor and foundation and we completed each other.

"For a while he was a house husband which was unusual in the 90s. Charles was actually shy, but had the ability to bring the entire room to life. He had a phenomenal capacity to remember names and details which made everyone feel valued."

Charles' family have said there are "endless stories" about Charles to share, but what stands out is him hosting various celebrities whilst working at both universities.

Charles Elder

This includes MPs, the now Prime Minister Boris Johnson, writers, royalty, journalists and more, but he was usually found talking to catering staff as often as he spoke to celebrities.

Anne said: "We joke about doing a series called 'Who’s in Charles’ passenger seat today?'. When he picked up Boris Johnson, Boris was going into a meeting about toll roads.

"He asked Charles his opinion, who gave his American perspective. Later that day Boris was heard giving his view on toll roads. No surprise it was what Charles had told him.

"He entered every freebie and offer going, long after the need to do so in our student days. Only last month I had to tell him to put the Ferrero Rocher back that he acquired from the housekeeping trolley in the corridor of the hotel where we were staying.

"Hannah, Jake and I gave constant groans of "oh no" to some extent, but I would say never say no to fun.

"Family was so important to Charles and it extended way beyond the boundaries of genetics."

One of Charles' college friends said: "Charles was like a tornado of charm, wit, intellect, trivia, and love for his fellow humans - both close to him and from afar.

"He was a force of nature. He was sensitive and such a loving and kind person. He was an amazing and important friend.

"I was proud to call him my friend and always thought the people whom he did not know were missing out on some of the best and most interesting times that could be had with another person."

Charles died at home on July 22 2021 and his funeral will be held at Harbour View.