Charles Franz Vandenbulck

Charles Franz VandenBulck, 89, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on December 17th, 2023. Known as Charlie to his friends, he was born September 1, 1934, in Hoboken, New Jersey to Charles and Gertrude VandenBulck. An only child, he moved with his family to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where his father became a lieutenant colonel and Chief Administrative Officer of the Manhattan Project. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a mechanical engineering degree in 1956.

After college, Charlie worked as an engineer for over 65 years in Tennessee, New York, and Pennsylvania before moving to Florida where he met the love of his life, Jan Solomon Friedman. A few years after marrying Jan, they moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1981 where his professional and volunteer contributions were many. His expertise was integral to the restorations and renovations of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Juliette Gordon Low House, the Old Chatham County Courthouse, the Forsyth Park fountain, the Green-Meldrim House, the Lucas Theater, Congregation Mickve Israel, the Georgia State Railroad Museum, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, the Pin Point Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, the Davenport House, the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Christ Church Episcopal Parish House, the Savannah African Art Museum, and Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum William Scarborough House.

Outside of Savannah, he contributed to the early space programs sending unmanned rockets to space including the Titan Rocket and the Atlas-Centaur Rocket programs. Other projects he contributed to include the renovation of the Greenbrier Hotel, The Underwater Shark Encounter at SeaWorld, the Jekyll Island Club, and John Mellencamp’s Bloomington, Indiana home, among many others. Charlie was a pioneer for designing the first Mitsubishi HVAC City Multi System in the United States at Hospice of Savannah. He traveled to Japan to meet with the Mitsubishi Corporation to make sure the system was designed as accurately and precisely as specified. Over the years, Charlie won many awards for his work including lighting design for the Georgia Historical Society and engineering for the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

Charlie was a member of Congregation Mickve Israel and worked for many years on the annual Jewish Food Festival as one of the principal organizers. He held several other local volunteer leadership positions including serving numerous times on the committee for Historic Savannah Foundation’s Garden Exposition. During better days, Charlie also enjoyed sailing, shrimping, and was an avid wood turner.

He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Gertrude Korman VandenBulck, and leaves behind his cherished family including his wife of over 46 years, Jan Solomon VandenBulck, daughter, Elaine Morgan (Steven) of Orlando, Florida, son, Steven VandenBulck (Pam) of Longwood, Florida; stepchildren, Lisa Friedman York of Los Angeles, California, Marc Friedman (Royceann), and Alex Friedman of Savannah, Georgia; grandchildren Jeffrey Morgan, William Morgan (Lauren), Edmond Morgan (Angelica), James Morgan (Katherine), Mark Morgan (Alisa), Claire Morgan, and David Morgan; step grandchildren Harris Friedman, Jacob Friedman, Felix Friedman, Anna Friedman, Maya York, and Ashley Marin (John); one great grandchild, two step great grandchildren; and numerous cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 21st, 2024, at 2:o'clock in the afternoon, at Congregation Mickve Israel, 20 E Gordon St, Savannah, GA 31401. Memorial Donations may be sent to Congregation Mickve Israel, Hospice of Savannah, or a charity of your choice.