Dr. Charles Westgate, Ph.D
July 19, 1940 - October 22, 2022
Visitation: Wednesday, 10AM-1PM, Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry, 2678 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
Service: Wednesday, 11AM, Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry, 2678 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
Westgate
Dr. Charles “Roger”, Ph.D
Age 82, of Cranberry Twp,, formerly of Binghamton, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Beloved husband for 56 years of Gloria (Strail); Loving father of Gloria Jean Westgate-Scaraggi, Katherine Westgate Vargo, Liam Archer Westgate and the late Charles Westgate, Jr.; Proud grandfather of Patrick Allyn Blackstock and Sgt. Daniel Ryan Blackstock; Brother of Katherine Dianne Guilford, Susan Hendery, William Westgate, Jean Addington, the late Harold Westgate, and the late Raymond Westgate; Roger is also survived by many loving relatives and friends, especially his “Adopted Son” Robert S. Fields.
Roger leaves on this earth an expansive legacy derived from a life well-lived. Born the second eldest of seven in Upstate New York, Roger’s life would ultimately remain defined by a kind of steadiness and fidelity to family and responsibility that could effortlessly shape mountains.
Roger arrived in this world with an innate brilliance that would reveal a path to destinations otherwise unimaginable: valedictorian of his high school; full scholarship to an undergraduate degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a PhD at Princeton University; a multi-decade career as the William B. Kouwenhoven Professor of Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD; and later as the appointed dean of the Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science at SUNY—Binghamton in New York.
Yet Roger’s brilliance as an accomplished scholar was tempered with a beautiful universe that lived inside of him. He possessed a humbleness that drew him to meditative hikes across the Appalachian Trail, to track thousands upon thousands of miles on his bicycle, and that compelled him to sit beside cool peaceful waters where he would cast his line to fish.
Among his greatest accomplishments is the enduring love shared between Roger and his wife of 56 years, Gloria. Roger and Gloria’s chance meeting at a church social in Baltimore would forge an abundant path and future together that would bring with it their four children, Charles, Gloria, Katherine, and Lee. They were also the proud grandparents of their grandsons, Patrick and Daniel. Roger and Gloria together would emulate the kind of love and commitment to one another that is both precious and rare and is only possible between soulmates.
Roger remains now and forever a husband, father, brother, uncle, teacher, mentor, and friend to countless souls upon this earth. It is impossible to trace the corners of this world left untouched by him. Roger leaves us now with but one final request, “When I am gone make sure to take care of the next generation.” It is with the utmost love and intention we receive this call to be good stewards of this earth as we honor the beauty of his legacy that forever lives on in our hearts.
Friends will be received Wednesday from 10AM-1PM with a memorial service being held at 11AM at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME of CRANBERRY, 2678 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066.
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Dr Roger Westgate was my PhD advisor and made a major impact on my life. I have been forever grateful for his patience, support, guiding light and encouragements. While I was struggling with E&M in another class of a rather difficult faculty member I asked for his advice on what to do. In the 4th semester I was the only student left. Dr Westgate told me to hang on as that was an accomplishment in itself and not often repeated. Sure enough after that semester I passed the graduate oral exams on the first try. Today I still consult on those E&M topics after 40 years of research.
Thank you for all what you have done for your students.
Roger was my academic advisor at Hopkins and life advisor at large. I can not forget endless discussions in the basement of Barton Hall, about MOS transistors, modeling and device physics but also about the nature of academia, the politics, the what and what not to do to be succesful!
I came in this country as a foreign graduate student. Roger and Gloria always treated me as one of their children – Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, summer cook-outs. We went on bicycle rides, hikes and even took part in a ten mile race where him and myself finished together 151 and 152 (Iast) out of 350 or so runners.
Roger has always been what we call these days a “foodie”. I vividly remember our lunches at Morgan Millards, one of the oldest and finest restaurants in Baltimore (4800 Roland Avenue) not to take away from our visits at Attman’s for a “jumbo hot dog with bologna”.
From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of all those on the Roger Westgate academic family tree, whose lives you have touched; Rest In Peace.
One of my favorite professors at Hopkins. Insightful, supportive, and wonderful sense of humor. Via con dios Professor Westgate.
I have had a privilege of having Roger as a colleague and a friend and share with him many bike rides and hikes in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Roger has made my time at Hopkins richer and more enjoyable. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him
I first met Roger when I was a freshman on the Homewood campus exactly 50 years ago last month. He had the greatest impact in our department. We are losing our greats. No one will ever know how many lives he touched. This is an unspeakable loss.
Roger was an amazing mentor and AT hiking partner for years. He was a great friend and will be deeply missed.
Condolences to the Westgate family. Roger was an incredible man. It was a honor to work for him and total delight to call him and Gloria my friends. Sending love and healing light.
A life well lived that helped fulfill but is to hard to fill when gone. Sending sympathy… and my parents. They’re just better at this.
You will be deeply missed, Uncle Roger.
We just learned of your loss Gloria. Please accept our lateness in this message. I do not have your mailing address. Joyce
Condolences to the Westgate family. Our love and prayers are with you.
Sorry for your loss.
Forever in my mind, forever in my heart. Love you always, Daddy.