Charles E. Woodward, a 61-year resident of Lexington, Massachusetts, died peacefully on Friday, May 22, 2026, with his loving daughter and son by his side. He was born in 1931 in Harvard, Nebraska, to parents Elvin ("Dutch") and Rose Woodward. After serving in the Korean War, he graduated from Iowa State University and moved to Boston to attend M.I.T., earning his PhD in electrical engineering in 1964. Upon graduation, Charles joined M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory, where he spent his entire 50-year career.

Charles was a humble and kind man of faith who valued his Christian beliefs and family above all. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Jeanne (Palm) Woodward, in a small church ceremony on Christmas Eve, and they had a long and prosperous 63-year marriage until her death in 2024. Charles and Jeanne enjoyed the outdoors and spent time camping, cross-country skiing, and biking as a family. Charles lived by example, and his family and community were always at the core. He was a brilliant historian who loved literature, theatre, storytelling, and the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Charles was the devoted father of Catherine Woodward Gill and her husband, Mark Tully, of Lexington, and Nathan Woodward and his wife, Mary Woodward, of Georgia, Vermont. He was also the beloved grandfather—affectionately and forever known as "Bubba"—to Courtney, Danny, Matt, and Sarah Gill, and Sophie Woodward. A funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 929 Concord Turnpike, Arlington, MA. Burial will be private at Westview Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to his wife Jeanne and granddaughter Courtney.

Charles gave generously to his church and charities supporting the marginalized and suffering of the world. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Lutheran World Relief, Oxfam, or Doctors Without Borders.