Charles Stratton Iv

Dr. Charles William Stratton IV

Nashville, TN – Dr. Charles William Stratton IV, 77, a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and an accomplished physician, passed on March 21, 2022, in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center hospital, where he was employed for over 42 years.

Born on March 8, 1945, "Chuck" spent his childhood in Lee, MA, the first of five brothers and the son of the town family practitioner. He graduated from Lee High School, where he played football, was Salutatorian, and received the Rensselaer Math Medal for excellence in scholarship, thus kickstarting a lifetime of excellence in academia. He attended his mother and father's alma mater, Bates College, and began his medical studies at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1967. He continued his training as a junior resident at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont and as a senior resident and fellow in Infectious Disease/Clinical Microbiology at the University of Colorado Medical Center. After his first appointment as Assistant Professor of Medicine at West Virginia Medical School in 1976, he accepted an appointment in 1979 as Director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at VUMC in Nashville, TN, where he remained until the day he died.

Vanderbilt provided the sanctuary where Chuck could sustain his passion for research. He was an Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine and Deputy Chairman of the Infection Control Committee. He served on the Pharmaceuticals Committee and was an Attending Physician on the Infectious Disease Service. He was a member of numerous editorial boards, professional societies and national committees, was author or co-author on over 200 articles, research publications, review publications, chapters, and abstracts, and lectured extensively at teaching activities, meetings and conferences.

Chuck joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 1971 and was active until 1986. He was a member of the Army Reserve from 1986 until 1990. He was on active duty with the U.S. Army during the Persian Gulf War from 1990 to 1991, where he received the Bronze Star for his service. He was a full Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve when he retired in 1998.

Chuck married the love of his life, Pia Norman Hardin, on November 5, 1987. He devoted himself to her and her three children and made them the center of his life. In addition to his family, Chuck used his knowledge and life to influence and heal many countless others. As a colleague, teacher, husband, father, and friend, Chuck led by example with a good, kind heart and expected nothing in return. He was an avid reader, an expert collector, and a masterful mentor. He will be profoundly missed, but his influence will have a ripple effect for generations to come.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Pia Norman Stratton; his parents, Charles William Stratton III and Marita Dick Stratton; and his brother, James William Stratton. His memory will live on in his three stepchildren, Delia Hardin Darst (David), David Hardin (Sydney) and John Hardin (Stephanie); his five adoring grandchildren, Carmen Darst, Peter Darst, Millicent Darst, Hardin Darst and Zaidyn Hardin; and three brothers, Robert, Richard, and David, as well as many grateful, loving friends and extended family.

A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the Scarritt Bennett Center. The visitation will start at 10:00am in Bennett Hall, and the service will start at 11:30am in Wightman Chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (https://www.vanderbilthealth.org/memorialgiving) or to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to support their Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging. Make checks payable to "PCOM Foundation" and note, "Dr. Balin's research in honor of Chuck Stratton". Mail to PCOM Institutional Advancement, C/O Connie Ennis, 4180 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131.