Charles H. Solberg ’50

Charles H. Solberg ’50 died on January 12, 2010, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. While at Dartmouth he majored in chemistry and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and Sphinx. In addition to having been an Olympic-quality swimmer, he also competed in track and soccer events. Having served at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station before college, he earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1957. Charley married Marguerite “Tommy” Bunnell in 1953 and they had six children, the oldest of whom graduated from Dartmouth the year of Charley’s 25th reunion. Several other family members (there were 26 grandchildren in 2000) carried on the Dartmouth tradition. He left his position at Westinghouse at age 37 to become a manufacturer’s representative. Three years later he founded Solberg Manufacturing Inc., a company that specialized at first in designing and manufacturing a new type of air filter for compressors. By the year 2000 his two sons were running and expanding the business, which has become a leading force in the industry—shipping product to more than 50 countries. Charley had many interests. He coached several sports, including ice hockey. He founded the Chicago Minor Hawks. He was also a nature lover, having made at least 40 trips into the wilds and imbued a lasting interest in his 27 grandchildren. In addition to these, he was survived by Tommy and his six children.