Charles Brinkman

Dr. Charles Rudolph Brinkman III, M.D., aged 86, died February 21, 2021, at home surrounded by family.

Charlie, as he was known to friends and family, loved to travel with his wife Helen.

He was a generous husband, father, and grandfather and loved nothing so much as having his entire family together for holidays and enjoying the lively dinner table conversations that would result.  Always looking out for his children and grandchildren’s interests, he was a clipper and mailer of articles of advice or interest to everyone.

Born April 8, 1934 in New Haven Connecticut.  Son of the late Charles Rudolph Brinkman Jr and Laura Brinkman. He was preceded in death by his only brother David Brinkman.

Charlie was a Graduate of Torrington High School in Connecticut, and Springfield College in Massachusetts, where he met his wife, Helen.  He attended Medical School at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, and then completed his residency at Yale University Medical School in New York.  After a brief stint in the Army, Charlie and Helen moved to Los Angeles in 1967. Charlie worked at the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine as a Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology for 30 years, rising to be Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  His research at UCLA regarding Hypertension during pregnancy, was ground-breaking and instrumental in redefining treatment, which resulted in a multitude of healthy babies over the years.  Throughout his career, Charlie authored numerous articles, attended and spoke at conferences all over the world, and his practice at UCLA became specialized in “high-risk” Obstetrics.  He finished out the last 2 years of his career at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Long Beach, California after being asked to take charge of the OB-GYN Department there.

Charlie was a veteran of the US Army, having served as Captain, Medical Corp, at Ft. Ord Military Base in Monterey, California during the Vietnam war.  After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1967, Charlie and Helen moved the family to Topanga, California, where he started work as an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UCLA.  After 2 years in Topanga, and while rising to the rank of Professor at UCLA, Charlie and Helen bought a home along the coast in Malibu, California, where they continued to live and raise their family for 35 years.

After retiring as a Professor Emeritus from the UCLA School of Medicine, Charlie and Helen spent time traveling in their RV, lived for a short while in Palm Desert, then to Broomfield Colorado, and finally landing in Grand Junction, Colorado to be closer to their daughter Kathryn and their two granddaughters.  They spent many happy years wintering in Pismo Beach, California, walking on the beach and enjoying the local wineries.

Charlie is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Helen, sons Charles IV (and spouse Linda) and Stephen (spouse Claire), daughters Katherine and Cheryl (spouse Richard), and granddaughters Madeleine and Genevieve.

He will be greatly missed by all.