Charles Brandon Duke

Charles (Chuck) Brandon Duke, born January 3, 1952, beloved son of Betty Glatt Russell and the late Henry Brandon Duke, Jr., died January 12, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 38 years, Rose(mary) Sanders Duke. He is survived by his mother Betty Russell, his sister Christine Duke, nephew Garett Wyler, aunt Nancy Swartz and six cousins.

Chuck was a lifetime learner, primarily self-taught, and a renaissance man skilled in the areas of geology, mineralogy, gemology, saw piercing, metal casting and more. His interests in nature and camping began and flourished as a child while a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, resulting in his lifelong identity as a ‘rock hound’. Chuck’s success and expertise in geology was acknowledged when a selection of his fossil collection was included in the Natural History Society’s permanent museum exhibition. An avid reader, he especially loved science fiction. Chuck’s passion and interest in non-fiction was also extensive, with few topics left unexplored.

With this abundant knowledge, Chuck was a naturally gifted teacher and mentor to members and students at the Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, the Chesapeake Gem & Mineral Society and those taught “Minerology: The Basis of Everything” at the Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame College. Representing the Gem club at the annual Maryland Gem show, Chuck’s demonstrations made gemology both fascinating and accessible to the most novice of learners.

Melding their talents, Chuck and his wife Rose developed fantasy inspired jewelry, artwork, ornaments and decorative objects under the name of Talisman Design. Rose was, in her own right, an extremely talented artist. She expressed her talent through painting, drawing, engraving, jewelry design, felting, knitting, crocheting, and beading. Creating was an integral piece of their lives together, seconded only by their love for their kitty kids Andromeda, Eli, Smudge, Grimel and Jax.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday April 5th at St. Marks on the Hill Parrish Hall - 1620 Reisterstown Rd. Pikesville, MD 21208, Memorial: 2:00- 3:00 PM, Repast: 3:00- 4:00 PM

 In lieu of flowers please send donations to the SPCA of Maryland or The Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, Chuck Duke Memorial Scholarship Fund, 3600 Clipper Mill Rd. Unit116, Baltimore, MD 21211.