Charles Connor Bates, 65, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022, at his home in Fayston, Vermont. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Aloise O'Brien and Walter Alan Bates, Charlie is survived by his sister, Aloise, and brothers Alan, Toby, and David and their families, his twin sons Jack and Eric, and their mother, Jennifer Ball Robillard.
Charlie graduated from Middlebury College in 1981 where he majored in English and attended the Bread Loaf School of English. He played rugby, coached Middlebury’s first women’s rugby team, was a member of the Middlebury Mountain Club and, also the Fourth Avenue Alpine Club. He started ski patrolling at the Middlebury College Snow Bowl.
Charlie loved the mountains, climbing rock and ice with his friends all over the world. His memorable routes included a 1981 climb of the Shield Route on El Capitan in Yosemite, an ascent of Phabrang (20,250), and a first ascent of Peak X (19,423) in India in 1990. When he himself was no longer able to climb, he accompanied his sons on many of their adventures. Charlie was also an accomplished sailor.
Rugby was an important part of his life. After college, Charlie played with the Mad River RFC and the Burlington RFC; he refereed college and men’s rugby. Charlie was an assistant coach of the UVM rugby team when they won the 2009 NRU National Championship; he was the founder and coach of Mad River Youth Rugby.
A member of the Mad River Ski Patrol, Charlie was a recent recipient of the Outstanding Patroller Award; he was also a member of the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service.
Charlie was respected for his integrity, his clear thinking under pressure, and his strength. He was admired for his command of the English language and his wit. Charlie will be remembered as a large, stoic presence and a reliable friend. He passed on his love of the outdoors and his calm competence to his sons.
A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held in early March at Mad River Glen.
