Charles Bookstaver

Our Teachers

A long over due collection of tribute pages to the individuals who accepted the challenge of educating us.

Charles Bookstaver

October 18, 2019

Jay Dilorenzo: “I remember Mr. Booksraver. Great gymteacher. Very kind. He used to do gymnastic group after school.”

Bill Nielson: “Remember him from 3rd Grade Somerville School and him having us to do calastetics to the song Go You Chicken Fat Go.”

John C. Teasly: “RIP Mr. Bookstaver, I remember him from gym class way back in the late 1950’s. A gentlemen in all respects.”

Bob Sullivan: “He was a good friend of my father who also worked for the Ridgewood school system. He was also a member of my father’s football officiating team. He was a guest in our house many times. He was a good kind man.”

Ken Harootunian: “We referred to him as “Bookie” – but NEVER to his face. He was well-respected and cared about us kids..”

Laraine Reedy: “I loved Mr. Archibald! I went to Somerville and Somerville Annex and he knew EVERYBODY’S name. I ran into him in the late eighties and he knew exactly who I was, by name, and then remembered who my sisters were as well. He was one of my few favorite adults from childhood. The world is now a bit dimmer without him in it.”

Excerpt North Jersey.com Obituary: “Charlie, as he was known to everyone, graduated from Hastings High School in 1944. A veteran of World War II, he served on the USS Saint Paul. Charlie often expressed pride that he was in Tokyo Bay for the surrender ceremony on September 2, 1945. Charlie attended NYU, receiving a B.S. degree in education. He earned his Master’s from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. He worked as a physical education teacher for the Ridgewood School District for 35 years. Charlie was an active and well-known official in New Jersey high school sports, as well as Bergen County youth and adult sports leagues. Well into his early 80’s he officiated games, working as an umpire in baseball and softball, and as a referee in basketball, football and soccer. In the 1960’s and 70’s, he served as the manager of both the Graydon Pool in Ridgewood and Crestwood Park in Allendale and is still remembered by hundreds of Bergen County residents as the gentle man who taught them how to swim.”