Charles W. Byrd
My friend, my mentor.
On Tuesday, October 21, 2003, my fellow writer and friend, Charles W. Byrd of Hershey, Pennsylvania passed away. Without Charles, none of my 14 books would have been written. None of my articles would have been published. None of my successes as a writer would have been accomplished. This website is here because of him, at least indirectly. Charles was my mentor. He helped me by answering my 10,000 questions that all new writers have. It was Charles that explained to me how to format a manuscript, how to avoid dangling participles, and to structure a story.
Through Charles' encouragement and guidance, I somehow managed to produce some manuscripts and got myself published. Together, we decided that there needed to be a local writers group. So we formed one.
Central Pennsylvania Writers Organization (CPWO) still exists today. I knew Charles for over 25 years, and as I write these words, I recall many of our conversations, and his words of wisdom and advice. He helped me develop my writing skill. For that, I am forever grateful.
Thank you, Charles, for putting up with my endless and too often senseless prose, for my numerous questions, and for the inspiration. Charles stuck with me, and watched as I wore out typewriters and filled pages of newsprint with words, some good, but so many that needed his tweaking and corrections. A southern gentleman with a drawl that fooled no one - with one sentence you knew he had roots from the south - Charles was a husband, father, grandfather, writer, author, mentor, and my friend.
I shall miss him always.
-- George Sheldon
Lancaster, PA
October 22, 2003
This is the only picture that I know of that exists of Charles and I. Despite all the time we spent together, we just didn't stop and pose for photos. This was taken at a CPWO function in Palmyra, PA.
Update:
I recently heard from Lisa Gockley, a writer and reporter from the Easton Chronicle, a supplement of the Morning Call in Allentown. Lisa met Charles several times when she was working at the Sun in Hummelstown. She reminded me of another wonderful story about Charles that needs to be added on this page.
I will use her words to tell this story: Lisa said, "I will always remember him. I went to his home a few times and we also did lunch a few times. I have a signed copy of the poem he wrote following the assassination of President Kennedy. I understand the poem is in the Kennedy museum. I remember Mr. Byrd telling me Mrs. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy wrote him thank you notes for writing the poem. Mr. Byrd, although I didn't know him that well was such a remarkable person-I truly loved his company and listening to all his stories."
Special Thanks to Lisa for writing and reminding me of this story. I do recall Charles' poem, and I know it was one of the things he was proud of writing. It was just one of many fine examples of his writing. I still miss him.