Hobart and William Smith Colleges

November 2, 2023

Dear Colleagues,

I write with the very sad news that Former Chair of the Board of Trustees and Honorary Trustee Charles H. Salisbury Jr. ’63, P’94, L.H.D. ’08 died earlier this week following an illness. Charlie served on the Board from 1991-2007 and was Chair from 1998 – 2006. He instilled in everyone around him a deep appreciation and love for the Colleges, and conveyed to all the responsibility we hold to ensure the vitality of its future. With a seriousness of purpose and single-minded determination to see his alma mater succeed, he served HWS with pride.

It was Charlie’s vision to re-invent the Career Services office and to locate it, along with Global Education and Community Engagement, in the same building, creating a co-curricular destination point for students. The Salisbury Center at Trinity Hall, named in honor of his lead gift, is a physical manifestation of his deep desire to make certain that all students have the resources and preparation to go into the world and embark on meaningful careers. At the dedication, he said: “My belief as an investor is that institutions and products share a common need. They must stand out from the crowds in order to be considered for selection.” Through the Salisbury Center and the many internships he enabled, Charlie created a true differentiator for Hobart and William Smith, making certain that as we provide students with an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education, we are also helping them to plan for their lives after graduation. 

Current Chair of the Board of Trustees Craig Stine ’81, P’17 remarked that, “Charlie had an unwavering faith in our alma mater and was deeply appreciative of the difference that Hobart and William Smith made in his life. He was a consummate professional in all ways and brought a level of discipline and fiscal responsibility to the work of the Board. He is a role model of a life committed to family and service to community. He will be deeply missed.”

Charlie came to HWS from The Baltimore Friends School where he played varsity football and lacrosse, and was involved in the school newspaper, yearbook and mayor’s council. He received his bachelor’s in American History from Hobart in 1963. At HWS, he made the Dean’s List, played lacrosse, had leadership roles on the Board of Control, was vice president of the freshman class, was a brother in Sigma Chi, and was a member of Advanced ROTC, serving as Commander of the Arnold Air Society. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1973, he received an MBA degree from Loyola College. He also attended the Stanford Executive Program in 1983 and achieved the Chartered Investment Counselor accreditation.

Charlie held a variety of positions at T. Rowe Price Associates where he led the development of the fixed income department, was responsible for management of many of the firm's major equity and debt accounts, started two major mutual funds, and served in a number of supervisory and advisory roles, eventually becoming President and Chief Investment Officer of the T. Rowe Price Trust Company. He retired in 1998 and then ran Salisbury Broadcasting Company in Baltimore, Md. In Baltimore and elsewhere, Charlie served on a number of boards and committees for hospitals, schools and non-profit organizations.

For his service to Hobart, he received an Alumni Citation in 2003. Three years later, the HWS Board of Trustees introduced the Charles Salisbury Award to recognize individuals who typify the commitment, drive and exemplary service demonstrated by Charlie. The Colleges awarded him an honorary degree in 2008, and he received the Lifetime Service Award in 2013, presented to alumni who have made exceptional contributions to Hobart College throughout their lives.

Charlie is survived by his wife Edith (Bunny) Salisbury and their daughters Katie Ryan ’94 and Annie Staley, as well as many other family members and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with them. 

From my very first days as president of HWS, Charlie welcomed our family to the Colleges and was a source of great counsel and support. The mission of the Salisbury Center at Trinity Hall remains as true today as it was in 2004: “Thinking about your future? So are we.” Charlie was always thinking about the future of Hobart and William Smith, and for that I will always be grateful.

Sincerely,

Mark D. Gearan
President