Charles Kilbourn Pickering, 94, of Hyde Park, NY, died peacefully at home, on February 4, 2026, 17 days before his 95th birthday. He was born in Corning, NY on February 21,1931 to Lawrence and Jessie McBride Pickering.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carole; and his three children and six grandchildren: Laurel Pickering (Fahad) and their sons, Alex and Max; David Creekmore and his daughters, Emma and Lily; and Stephen Kilbourn Pickering (Corey) and their sons, Bodhi Kilbourn Pickering and Cassidy J. Kilbourn Pickering.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Pickering was predeceased by a brother, Ronald Pickering.

Charles (Chuck) earned three degrees in music education: his Bachelors from Syracuse University, Masters from Rutgers University, and his Doctoral degree from New York University.

His professional career spanned over thirty years as a Teacher and Music Administrator in the New Milford, New Jersey public schools and as an adjunct professor at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, NJ. Upon his retirement, the school community honored him by dedicating the New Milford H.S. music wing in his name.

A second career followed as the Executive Director of the Arts Council of Orange County. Under Chuck's leadership, the 1929 Paramount Theatre in Middletown, NY was meticulously restored to its original beauty. Today, it continues to serve the Orange County Community in the Performing Arts.

He also honorably served in the US Army Reserves from 1948-1952.

Charles was a very active and involved volunteer his whole life. He served as President of the Middletown Rotary where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served as Financial Secretary in the First Presbyterian Church, Monroe, NY, and The United Methodist Church of Hyde Park, where he also delivered Meals on Wheels for a number of years.

The Pickering family gratefully requests memorial donations to Meals on Wheels of Greater Hyde Park, 1 Church Street, Hyde Park, NY 12538 (www.mealsonwheelsofhp.org), or the Hyde Park Food Pantry, PO Box 171, Hyde Park, NY 12538 (www.hpfoodpantry.org), or the Salvation Army (www.give.salvationarmy.org), or the Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, 80 Washington St., Suite 204, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (www.hvhospice.org).

A celebration of the life of Dr. Charles K. Pickering will be held at a future date at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements by Sweet's Funeral Home, Hyde Park. To send an online condolence, please visit Dr. Pickering's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.