RIP Charles Wychgel

[Phoenikakias]

Last Friday has passed away Charles Wychgel, who participated also in this forum under his first name. He was a great palm collector and a great man, having one of the most extended palm collections in Europe. His garden is situated in southern Portugal. He made many seed donations both to individuals and to European Palm Society, helping it thus to raise needed funds to keep its web site alive. I only knew him a little, as I met him personally only once in the EPS 2012 meeting in Rome. So what I have just written is not based on friendship  but rather on known deeds and achievements, which is imo the biggest honor of one's memory. My deepest sympathies to his family, and let someone closer to him write a proper obituary here.

[Rafael]

I am so sorry to hear this. I did not meet him, despite working pretty close to where he had his superb collection of palmtrees. I am so sad i could not manage it in time. Even without meeting him in person, i felt how generous man he was. Another good person we lost here. Rest in Peace Charles 

[yeye]

 

I m so sad to know that

I had the oportunity to visit his garden in october 2016! Such a beautiful garden with palm and cycad collection! 

I m lucky to meet him even if it was a short time!!

Rip Charles!! We lost a great person ! 

 

[Palmensammler]

Sad news,

my sincere condolences to his family.

RIP Charles

[Daryl]

Very sad news....Charles visited here a few years ago, and my impression of him was that of a very generous and kind soul...may he rest in peace.

 

[PalmatierMeg]

I never met him either but I followed his posts on the EPS forum. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing and send condolences to his family.

[Alberto]

He was a generous man. He sent me twice seeds of his fabulous Brahea moorei when the first envelop didn't arrive (it arrived after months....)  Our messages were in dutch and some portuguese, languages that where closer to us.                                                                                                                           Hij was zeker een goed en gevoelig mens! Condoleances aan de familie en vrienden!

Edited January 20, 2018 by Alberto

[John in Andalucia]

Charles used to buy seedlings from me when I lived in Spain. We never met, but our emails and forum chat made me consider him a friend. I was sad to hear through the EPS forum of his passing.

[bubba]

I did not know Charles but always enjoyed immensely his comments and expertise from his Algarve enclave. I recall he responded to my first post many moons ago in the Palm Talk Forum primarily to RJR regarding an old treatise on “Palms” authored by Desmond Muirhead. A true Icon and irreplaceable. Godspeed.

[Kim]

Oh, this is sad. I was slow to notice this mention of Charles' passing. I didn't meet him in person, but always appreciated his avid interest in palms.  I will always remember his wonderful avatar:  the back of his aloha shirt showing off some tall palms. 

[John in Andalucia]

I noticed from Charles' posts that there isn't an 'In Memoriam' badge in place for him. It would be nice. 

[PALM MOD]

42 minutes ago, John in Andalucia said:

I noticed from Charles' posts that there isn't an 'In Memoriam' badge in place for him. It would be nice. 

Thanks - Done

[Daryl]

Found this photo of Charles at Mt Tamborine back in 2011

 

[tinman10101]

I never met Charles in person but he was so gracious in sharing palm advice and even seeds.  He supplied me seeds to some of his palms and it is great to know that they have been spread all over the States and all originated from this kind and gracious soul.  RIP Charles.