Charles Utley Shilling

With deep sadness, our family announces the death of Dr. Charles Utley Shilling, Captain SSN (Ret.), who died peacefully in his cherished home of 65 years in McLean, VA, on September 13, 2025.

Charles and his wife, Gretchen Lou Graham, were married for 70 years and raised their four children, Donn, Dorothy, Charles and David in their always welcoming home.

Charles was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1930, the younger brother of Charlotte Teed and son of Dr. Charles Wesley Shilling, Capt. USN and Miriam Teed. Charles met the love of his life, Gretchen, while growing up on the Naval Base where they both attended Norwich Free Academy.

Charles attended the Naval Academy, the University of Connecticut, the University of Hawaii, and George Washington University, where he completed his medical degree. Charles and Gretchen married in 1952 and had their first son in New London, CT. As a Naval Officer he finished his medical residency at Bethesda U.S. Naval Hospital, where his last three children were born.

He was transferred to Pensacola, Florida and practiced Internal Medicine in the U.S. Naval Hospital and then moved to Washington, D.C. working at the Naval Bureau of Medicine.

Charles retired from the Navy, continuing in the reserves, and started working at Group Health Medical in 1962. Once he retired from Group Health, he taught residents at Fairfax Hospital and Georgetown University.

A true Renaissance man, Charles enjoyed music, ballet, opera, gardening, sailing and swimming. Charles was eternally enthusiastic, kind, generous, witty and humorous until the “bitter end.” We will miss him dearly.

Charles has nine grandchildren: Sean, Amy, Ross, Aaron, Simon, Gretchen, Paige, Elizabeth, Lucca, and Nicole. He has three great-grandchildren, Kieran, Bennett, Lily, and Eli.

The family is holding services on November 3rd, 2025, at 2 pm at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1125 Savile Lane, McLean, VA 22101.