Thomas H. Charlton

Thomas H. Charlton
August 17, 1938 - June 02, 2010
Wellman, Iowa
Thomas H. Charlton, 71, of Wellman, IA, died suddenly Wednesday, June 2, 2010, in Iowa City. Dr. Charlton was born August 17, 1938, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, the son of Thomas H. (Harry) Charlton and Winnie (Taylor) Charlton. He received a BA in Anthropology in 1960 from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Anthropology from Tulane University in 1966. He taught at the University of Toronto and at Grinnell College before joining the University of Iowa's Department of Anthropology in 1967, where he continued teaching until his death. Dr. Charlton's primary research focused on the archaeology of Mesoamerica and Mexico, in particular. He also had been involved in historical archaeology in Iowa and continued excavations at the Plum Grove Historic Site in Iowa City from 1974 until his death. He loved Lake Ontario, mountains, Mexico, books, stamps, and his Triumph sports cars and had a soft spot for small animals. Thomas is survived by his wife Cynthia Otis Charlton, whom he married in Iowa City in 1976. He is also survived by a son Thomas H. Charlton, IV, of Calgary, AB and his fiancée Karen Eldridge of Iowa City; two brothers: Eric C. Charlton and special friend Carol Burton of Calgary, AB and William J. (Carol) Charlton of Bracebridge, ON; mother-in-law Lucille Otis of Cedar Rapids, IA, brother- and sister-in-law Brian and Diane Otis of Fairfax, IA, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Charlton Fund for Archaeological Research c/o USBank, Po Box 1880, 204 E Washington St., Iowa City, IA, 52240.