Charles R. Barbee, 61

"It is with great sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Charles Richard Barbee, "Charlie," on May 14, 2025, one week before what would have been his 62nd birthday." 

Charlie passed away peacefully at home in his sleep in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania, in the company of his children, who were aiding in his recovery from a recent successful surgery.

He was born on May 21, 1963, to Wendell and Karen (Jacobsen) Barbee in Colfax, Washington. As a youngster, he lived in various towns in Eastern Washington, as the family moved periodically due to his father’s career in the Forest Service. In 1968, the family moved to Kalispell, where he graduated from Flathead High School in 1981. We were all very proud when Charlie was accepted into and graduated from West Point, the United States Military Academy.

After graduating from West Point with a bachelor’s degree in general engineering, Charlie completed five years of military service and received an honorable discharge. After his military service, he attended New York University, achieving his MBA as well as getting the opportunity to work in Japan for six months. He then began his career in technology risk for major financial institutions. He became a vice president at Morgan Stanley and later continued to work in his field in and near New York City, working at JPMorgan Chase and at State Street. Charlie continued to work at unraveling the puzzles and challenges of digital security until his passing.

Charlie had two kids with Annu Warikoo (his second wife), Uma, 25, and Ammar, 23. They were the joy of Charlie’s life. He coached both of them throughout their participation in youth baseball and softball leagues and earned a reputation as "Coach Chuck." As a proud parent, he always spent time taking them to all the Disney movies and chauffeuring them around with friends. When he moved from New York City to the Pocono Mountains, he made it his mission to explore all the local nature preserves and state parks with them. We are so glad he lived to watch Ammar graduate with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and to see Uma enrolled in her doctorate program in physical therapy.

Charlie had a lively mind and followed a wide variety of online and print publications to keep up on current events and modern thought. "Better living through technology" was his favorite motto, even when some people said it to him sarcastically. Charlie always made sure everyone knew what was happening in the media, through texts and emails, utilizing certain phrases from the "Star Trek" universe, so you always knew it was from him. He was a huge fan of "Star Trek" since its inception. He knew all the storylines of the various series and owned many fun and interesting "Star Trek"-themed collectibles.

Charlie is survived by his children and by his brothers, Dan (Janet Miller) and Chris Barbee. He is also survived by Dan and Janet’s sons, Connor and Tyler Barbee. There are, in addition, many other relatives, friends, co-workers and acquaintances who miss Charlie very much. He was the kindest of men, ready to help everyone and believe the best of them if at all possible.