Charles Joseph Buchta

Charles Joseph Buchta left this world on October 2, 2025, at the age of 83. Charles was born on December 12, 1941, to the late Otto and Madeleine Buchta, in Jamaica, Queens, New York. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marjorie “Marnee” Virginia Buchta, his children, Suzanne, Daniel, and David Buchta, and seven grandchildren: Sarasvati, Gayatri, Ben, Rasika, Nick, Anurupa, and Tristan.

Charles grew up on Long Island, New York, and attended Brooklyn Prep, before going to college at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the class of 1963. At Holy Cross, Charles excelled in Track and was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame in 1975.

After completing his studies and an ROTC program at Holy Cross, Charles took up a role as an officer in the Marine Corps. His service included a deployment to Vietnam in charge of a transportation unit.

After his military service, Charles embarked on an illustrious career in banking. He began at Citibank and Chase Manhattan Bank, but moved out to California in 1984 to serve as the head of the Operating Services Group at First Interstate Bank. After many years at First Interstate and, later, California Federal Bank, Charles returned to New York where he worked for National Westminster Bank before retiring and moving to North Carolina, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Even in retirement, he continued to share his accumulated wisdom, teaching courses on business and finance at Pfeiffer University.

Charles will be remembered most of all for his deep care for and dedication to his friends and family. An active member of his class alumni committee for Holy Cross, Charles established and administered a charitable fund to support classmates in need. He regularly asked family and friends to donate to a charity of their choice, or to one dear to his own heart, such as the Semper Fi Fund.

Charles continued running as long as health allowed and was an avid golfer throughout his life. A lover of food and culture, his retirement allowed him to travel, including a trip to Europe to research his ancestry more deeply. Though he has passed, his legacy will endure.

A memorial service will be held at 4:30 PM on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel. A visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to the service, beginning at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice, or plant a tree below in memory of Charlie.