Necrology
Because Hamilton Remembers
Charles Edward Jurka '46
Sep. 5, 1924-Jul. 16, 2006
Charles Edward Jurka ’46, who practiced dentistry for 42 years, was born on September 5, 1924, in New York City. His parents were Charles A. and Edith S. Jurka, both also dentists. Charles Jurka, known as “Ched,” grew up in Chappaqua, NY, where he was graduated from Horace Greeley High School in 1942. He entered Hamilton that summer and joined Delta Upsilon. However, he left the Hill at the end of 1943 to go on active duty with the U.S. Navy with the aim of attending dental school under Navy auspices. During the last year of World War II (1944-45), he was assigned to the Navy’s V-12 program at Columbia University.
Thereafter, Ched Jurka enrolled in Columbia’s School of Dental and Oral Surgery, which awarded him his D.D.S. degree in 1948. That same year he returned to active duty as a Navy dentist. On October 23, 1948, in Ossining, NY, Lt. Jurka was married to Patricia A. Maloney. Released from active duty in 1950, he returned to the United States from Plymouth, England, where he had been based, and took over a dental practice in Cobleskill, NY.
In 1951, while residing in Croton-on-Hudson, Dr. Jurka went into practice in Ossining with his mother. There he continued to practice, having found dentistry a highly satisfying profession, until his retirement in 1992. Through the years, while working hard to build up his practice, he was active in professional organizations and served as president on the Ninth District Dental Society. A devotee of lifelong learning and ever open to new experiences and expanded knowledge, he enjoyed travel, attending classes, and taking part in seminars.
In 1990, a year after the death of his wife, the mother of his daughters, Wendy and Heidi, Dr. Jurka was married to a longtime friend, Barbara Blunk, herself recently widowed. After selling his dental practice, he and Barbara retired to Tequesta, Fl. Long ill, Charles E. Jurka was residing in Tequesta when he died on July 16, 2006. The College has no information on survivors.
Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.
Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu
The Joel Bristol Associates
Hamilton has a long-standing history of benefiting from estate and life payment gifts. Thoughtful alumni, parents, and friends who remember Hamilton in their estate plans, including retirement plan beneficiary designations, or complete planned gifts are recognized and honored as Joel Bristol Associates.
