Obituary

Charles Commodore Weise, M.D. passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2026, at age 96.

Charles was born on October 4, 1929. He was raised in Marmet, West Virginia, and graduated from Charleston High School. He attended West Virginia University where he graduated with honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Charles became interested in medicine when he was in the fifth grade and would go to the library to read about infections. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. While a medical student, he met and married his beloved wife, Elaine. They would share their lives for 70 years before her passing in 2024.

Following graduation from medical school, Charles served as a United States Army Captain specializing in military psychiatry. After his military service and a medical residency at Philadelphia General Hospital, he and Elaine moved to Charleston, West Virginia. He became board certified in psychiatry and neurology and opened a private psychiatric practice. In addition to his practice, he worked as a psychiatric consultant for Kanawha County Schools, acted as a consultant for the Charleston Jobs Corp, and evaluated injured workers for the West Virginia Workers Compensation Board. Because of his concern about the lack of effective psychiatric medications early in his career, he became a psychopharmacologist overseeing studies of anxiety and antidepressant medications. He became medical director of Highland Hospital in 1986, and served in that capacity for decades. Throughout his career as a psychiatrist, he cared for his patients with compassion, professionalism, and a deep commitment to improving their lives.

Charles was an avid reader and proficient gardener, cultivating a variety of orchids, plants and trees in the greenhouse he maintained until his passing. He enjoyed traveling, including trips to Kenya, Tanzania, Peru, Italy, Singapore, Bali, and Hawaii with his adult children. He loved jazz music and resumed playing the trumpet at age 95. He purchased a snare drum and was teaching himself to play it before his death.

Charles and Elaine raised four children in Charleston: Mary Lou, Charles, Suzanne, and Jane. Charles profoundly loved his family, and he is deeply loved by them. His family will miss his quick wit and dry sense of humor, as well as the calming support he always provided them.

Charles was predeceased by his loving wife Elaine Macauley Weise and his daughter Jane Weise Haley. Charles is survived by his devoted children Mary Lou Weise-Stusser, Charles C. Weise, Jr., and Suzanne Weise (Patrick McGinley); grandchildren Charles Paul Weise (Jamie Smith), Jacob Laurence Stusser, Mara Elaine Stusser, Sydney Haley Stevens (Jacob), Emma Macauley Haley, and Molly McGinley Han (Richard); his nieces Elizabeth Reba Weise (Lisa Murphy) and Victoria Elaine Noviello (Donald); great-grandchildren Ethan Han, Elena Han, Liam Patrick McGinley, and Colin Sean McGinley.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the care, love, and support provided by Anthony Price, Ronnie Walls, Kevin Edwards, Chelsea Luckhart, Rashawn Bowles, Adam Davis, Cheyeanna Walls, and many other caregivers who helped him over the years, as well as close family friend Gregory Richardson.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrnagements.