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As of this fall, I knew Charles for 20 years.  During that time, how many fruitful conversations did we have in my office at TC -- yes, about language, but also a great deal of other things?    I admired his quiet, reflective demeanor and endless curiosity about things that mattered.   On my shelf is the book that he gave me on the life of fellow Ohioan President Garfield who (we joked) was great because he didn't serve long enough to be judged otherwise.  So sorry to learn of your passing, Charles.
-- Howard Williams, Teachers College

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My condolences to Prof Comb's family. Prof Combs was such a kind and patient person who showed a true passion for teaching. Although I only knew him one semester, I can see what a lasting impact he's had on his students and the Hunter community. 

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My condolences to Prof Comb's family. Prof Combs was such a kind and patient person who showed a true passion for teaching. Although I only knew him one semester, I can see what a lasting impact he's had on his students and the Hunter community. 

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-Lisa

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Charles was first my professor at Hunter in 2017 & later my TESOL advisor for high school observations, he then became one of my dearest friends. We both found great comfort, wisdom & joy attending the Little Church Around The Corner especially on Easter & the last one was in March before the pandemic hit. He frequently was a sounding board for me which I so valued in my teaching now ENL in the BX. He really knew Language Acquisition & grammar !! He also knew how to make it interesting for students. We checked in with each other frequently & last hung out in September on a beautiful sunny afternoon in the east village. He missed his parents very much & he wanted to move back to Japan to be with his partner. I am so, so saddened that my very good friend will not be a call away anymore. I will miss you very much Charles!!!! I pray that he is with the Lord & his legacy will live on in all the students, friends and family he loved & cherished. Until next time my dearest friend! Thank you for all you have given me 💕🙏🏽

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Although, I only knew Professor Combs in the capacity as a teacher, I could see he was a caring, thoughtful and patient one. He alleviated any anxiety we had over our work and understood the individual needs of his students. Especially during this pandemic. I hope his family and friends find peace during this time and I will keep you all in my thoughts. - With sorrow, Liliam Mott

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I met Professor Combs this year in Spring of 2020. He was my SLA professor at Hunter College. Before he would begin his lectures, he would always check in on us to make sure we were doing alright. He was very understanding and patient with the class. I learned a lot in SLA and will cherish everything he taught us. My condolences to his family and friends.

-Fiona Tsang

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Professor Combs,

Thank you for rooting for us since day one. We met this semester and your kindness truly touched each one of us during the short amount of time. Thank you for being such a great professor. We think very highly of you and I hope to live up to your level of kindness and to connect with each of my students as you did with us. We miss you!

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He was a kind soul that  was surely loved by many. He was an understanding teacher and truly put his students first. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Keep providing knowledge in heaven!

- Natalie Real

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Prof Combs was an encouraging and benevolent soul. I had him for SLA and he liked my final paper so much that he encouraged me to present at the NYSTESOL conference that year. I organized a panel with three others. We did it. And we wouldn't have done it if it weren't for his suggesting that it was possible. Also, he was funny. He had a predisposition toward explaining linguistic acquisition using cats as and dogs as examples. He explained false cognates by illustrating that "chat" is closer to cat than "chien" is to dog - "For this reason, cats are superior to dogs." He also commented that "raining cats and dogs" is a silly idiom. I am grateful for the time that I was in his presence. I am also sorry for the loss. Rest-in-Power, good man!

-Margarita Shalina

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I am truly sadden to hear Professor Charles will no longer be with us. Even though we only met this semester, you truly have made an impact in our SLA  class. You were always so understanding and full of so much knowledge.  I would like to extend my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. You will truly be missed but never forgotten.
Thank you for everything!

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I met Professor Combs this semester and he was so understanding and helpful. Sending healing prayers and wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. He will be missed.
-Elizabeth Vargas

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I would like to take this opportunity to extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of Professor Combs. This is truly a hard pill to swallow. Professor Combs will be missed immensely by our cohort. He was the epitome of a patient, kind and caring individual & Professor. It was an honor being in his SLA class.
-Shanna Peters

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I first met Professor Combs as a MA student at Hunter. He was kind, supportive, and caring with a deep passion for the field of TESOL and Hunter College. This is a major loss for the Hunter Community. May his expertise and passion continue to live on in his memory. Professor Combs and his family will be in my thoughts.

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I met Professor Combs only this semester and regret not having had the chance to meet him in person. He always took the time to check in with each of us when we met every week and enjoyed sharing stories from far afield. I am so shocked to learn of this news and deeply saddened by the loss of such a caring individual. My most heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and friends.
-Fran Zarnitzky

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Professor Coombs was one of the kindest,  most understanding Professors we have had at Hunter. It was such an honor to meet him and be in his class. He showed such resilience during unprecedented times. Although we were in the middle of a pandemic, he found the way to teach us regardless of any obstacles in his path. I will cherish the kindness I received as a student and try to follow his example in my everyday teaching.
He will be missed.
My deepest condolences to his friends and family.
Maria Zamora

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Even though we just met him this semester at Hunter, Professor Combs was the warmest and one of the most understanding teachers we’ve had at Hunter. His knowledge and examples of language theory were current and helped us understand the readings and theory. Condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.

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His love of language and travel showed in his lectures. He always would talk about all the places he had visited. To his family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss.
-Laurel Noble

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I was a  student  this semester in Professor Comb’s course. He left a memorable impression on me. I appreciate the time he spent talking to the class  and me. I offer my condolences to all who knew and cared for him.

Sharon

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Professor Combs was a knowledgeable and patient professor who always took the time to check in on us and was always willing to take the time to answer questions and instill wisdom in his students’ teaching practices. He had a lot of passion for the field of Second Language Acquisition and TESOL which benefitted all of his students. My condolences and prayers to his family, friends and close faculty members at Hunter College. He will be truly missed💛
-Jenna Derasmo

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Professor Combs was a very understanding, kind, and responsive person. He was very patient and answered every students questions when they were unsure of a given topic or assignment. Condolences to Professor Combs, his family, and friends.

With deepest sympathy,
Samah

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Charles was my SLA Professor when I was in NYCTF. Our cohort was not the easiest of groups, but his kindness and calmness stood out that semester. He was always willing to stay after class to answer individual questions and accomadate students.
When I worked at Hunter several years later, students shared how much they loved Professor Combs and his class with me. He was their favorite they proclaimed. Not only did he teach a fundament course for TESOL but his calm, steady, and caring demeanor was often just want students needed to be and feel successful. I hope he knew how much he was appreciated.
He will be missed and remembered. ❤️
Lizzy Fraser

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I remember working with Charles from way back--getting to know him and talking to him about his doctoral studies, and then working with him on teaching for us.  He was such a warm, supportive person, someone I always felt had students' interest at the forefront. Numerous students have told me that he encouraged them to present their SLA research at NYSTESOL and other conferences, and he encouraged so many to continue their classroom-based research related to language after they had finished his class.  I know he has had an enormous impact on our program and our students.  I will remember Charles as an incredibly warm, positive presence, someone always smiling and friendly, and with a twinkle in his eye.  Rest in peace, Charles.  We will miss you incredibly.  --Anne Ediger

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Professor Combs had a lot of knowledge to share. He was patient and shared many stories about his experience to Japan/ other language learning experiences. It was nice to listen to his wisdom.

Thank you Professor Combs.

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Professor Combs was always willing and able to offer us help when we needed it. This is very shocking news. My condolences to his family , friends and faculty that knew him so well. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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Professor Combs was always willing and able to offer us help when we needed it. This is very shocking news. My condolences to his family , friends and faculty that knew him so well. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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Tanika

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I only knew him this semester and he was so empathetic to our teaching situations and it is so sad to learn of his passing.  May he guide future teachers from above!
Melissa

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I did not know you long, but you were always an understanding and helpful teacher. You will be missed. My condolences to your
friends and family.
-Theresa H.

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I have known Charles since he started teaching for us at Hunter in 2011. He was such a kind man, always patient and generous. So many of our TESOL students have learned so much from him over the years.  I know that through his teaching and example, he surely did his part to make the world a better place.  Rest in Peace Charles, you will be dearly missed. Tim Farnsworth

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Thoughtful and ever present for his students... 

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Thoughtful and ever present for his students... 

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The Hunter community is speechless with losing you. We will continue your work and legacy as we lift up your memory with our students. We will miss and morn you dearly and remember you as a scholar and teacher par excellence.  With sadness and gratitude for all you have given...

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Charles has been a constant presence in our MA TESOL program at Hunter for as long as I can remember. He patiently works with our students in one of the most challenging courses to teach--presenting theory and asking students to do critical reading and extended writing is not easy when so many busy teachers want something practical in their hands. Charles brought out the intellectual, the reflective, and the studious aspects of our students. We are devastated to hear of his sudden passing and we will never, ever forget him or what he has given to us all.

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I first met Charles as a student at Teachers College.  We were graduate students in a Second Language Acquisition course.  I remember him interviewing me for his research paper.  Professors now,  we teach that course.  Charles has taught "by my side" (in every way) at Hunter College since 2011. It is not too much to say that Charles has influenced hundreds of students to love and use applied linguistics with integrity and kindness.  We honor him whenever we spend too much time to stay after class,  listen to, and care for our students. I know no braver or more generous heart. Thank you Charles for the many late nights modeling for teachers how to be transformative.  May you be PROUD.