Charles G. Wagner, Md

Charles G. Wagner, MD

Surrounded by his family, Charles G. Wagner, M.D., ”Chuck” 77, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness on October 8, 2022. He is survived by his wife Patt, daughter, Dr Elizabeth DiProspero & her husband Dr. Nick DiProspero and their 3 sons, Peter, Andrew & John, son, Geoffrey Wagner & his wife Jennifer & their daughter, Hayden, & his stepson R. Tate Garey & his wife Jennifer and their two children, Evelyn & Grant. Dr. Wagner was born in Charleston, West Virginia December 19, 1944, to Gilbert & Antoinette Wagner. He is the second oldest of nine children, 3 girls & 6 boys, & was raised in Leonia, N.J, graduating from Leonia High School in 1963. Upon graduation he volunteered to join the U.S. Army. While waiting for induction, he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University for one year. He was inducted into basic training @ Fort Dix, N.J. August 1964, then trained as a helicopter pilot, CWO I @ Fort Walters, Texas, & Fort Rucker Alabama, Officer Candidate School. He served in Korea 2nd Aviation Battalion, DMZ patrol pilot, & orphanage officer in 1965 & in Vietnam from 1966-1967, 11th Air Calvary, Gunship pilot, aviation armament officer. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V”, Bronze Star, & 16 Air Medals & was honorably discharged in 1968. Upon his return, he completed his studies @ Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons in 1974 with a 3 year residency at St. Luke’s Hospital, New York, N.Y. After an initial year of practice at Carle Clinic in Champaign Urbana, Illinois, he returned to the East Coast to settle in Milton, DE and work as an Emergency Room Physician at Milford Memorial Hospital.

Following his young family’s 1978 move to Prime Hook Beach, he became a regular fixture at Roxie's Cafe in Milton, (now the Milton Theater) and found there were few primary care doctors in the Sussex County area and none in Milton. He purchased 424 Mulberry Street next to H.O.B. Elementary school and established Milton Family Practice (MFP) in 1980. MFP grew into one of the largest primary care practices in Delaware serving upward of 12,000 patients. As his practice grew, he soon found it necessary to double the size of the medical facility, and future expansions would see the first MRI in Southern Delaware. Later the MFP practice was moved to Rt. One in Lewes, at the Red Mill Pond Center and rebranded as Pointe Primary Care after he retired in 2016. Dr. Wagner never lost his need for adrenaline or his love of flying and became a qualified hot air balloon pilot. He designed and ordered a special balloon to represent Delaware and named it Della Bear. Starting the First State Hot Air Balloon team, he traveled nationwide to festivals promoting the little state with a big heart, Delaware. With his wife Patt, they organized thirteen festivals in Milton with an attendance of 10-15,000 people annually. The festivals helped showcase the town of Milton and were popular for Miltonians and visitors alike. Funds raised at these festivals benefited the Diabetes Sugar Free Kids Program and the Milton Theater projects. Dr. Wagner was a member of the Milton Lions Club and obtained a miniature train from DELDOT and organized work crews to have the” Milton Clipper Express” installed in the Milton Town Park. He was also instrumental in establishing the annual Milton Canoe and Kayak races. Personal health issues eventually curtailed his continued participation with the myriad of projects he started and led. Unable to sit back and “relax” in his retirement, he and Patt would go on to enjoy working on their farm, whether water buffalo, horses, chickens, mowing, gardening, or home “repair”, there was always a project to undertake. Dr. Wagner served on the board of Milford Memorial Hospital, The Visiting Nurses Association, the Milton Chamber of Commerce, The Medical Center of Delaware, and was awarded the William D. Littleford award for corporate public service. He also holds several patents for energy conservation, monitoring technology and hardware. He was ahead of his time in every field. Dr. Wagner continued to pursue his interests with engagement, encouragement, and education. He savored every success whether it was his own, or one of his family, friends, or mentees; and was often heard speaking highly of his grandchildren or his wife. He will be greatly missed. There are a thousand reminders of him everywhere you look from Milford to Lewes and in between. His lasting legacy will continue to inspire his friends, family, and the countless people who were helped in and out of his medical office.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 14, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 Church Street, Milford, with viewing to begin at 11:00 am at the church. Interment will be held at Barrett’s Chapel Frederica, DE. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to BayHealth Medical Center, Sussex Campus, 100 Wellness Way, Milford, DE 19963 or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be submitted to: www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com

Arrangements in the care of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford.