Charles Allan “Al” Michel, a longtime Haddonfield resident, passed away on Feb. 27 at the age of 89. He was the beloved husband of the late Joan (nee Flythe), loving father of Charles J. (Deborah A.) of Cherry Hill and Kenneth A. of Haddonfield, devoted grandfather to Allan C. and Thomas J., dear brother of Robert C. (and his wife Virginia) of Glen Rock, N.J.
Mr. Michel grew up in the Forrest Park section of Queens, New York City. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BSEE degree in 1953, also serving in the Korean War and landing at RCA that same year. Upon his discharge, he settled in Haddonfield with Joan, whom he married in 1959. Al worked at RCA Camden (GE/Martin Marietta) as an electrical engineer for 38 years and retired in 1991. He was respected for his design abilities and candor and was the lead design engineer for the Score satellite which formed the US response to Sputnik in 1958.
Mr. Michel taught circuit design between 1966 and ‘68 at Rutgers University. He was an avid sailor; however, his dearest passion was music. Al played double bass and violin and was in several music ensembles including the South Jersey Pops, the Philharmonic of South New Jersey, as well as Brass and the Beat. He was an inspiration to his family and friends by living life to the fullest.
Al’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at St. Vincent Pallotti Church (St. Joseph the Worker Parish), 901 Hopkins Road, Haddon Township. His Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Interment at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden.
Donations in memory of Al may be made to the South Jersey Pops, P.O. Box 1132, Marlton, N.J. 08053. Please write ‘Charles Allan Michel Memorial’ on the Memo Line) or https://www.southjerseypops.org/support/donations.html.
