Charles Randolph Climpson, age 79, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 in Wilmington, NC.

Charles (Randy) was born on December 2, 1943 in Washington, D.C. to the late Harley Climpson and Mary Louise Yauch Climpson.  He lived most of his childhood in Bethesda, MD.

Randy is survived by his sister, Elaine Climpson; brothers, Jeff Climpson (wife Kathleen) and Russ Climpson (wife Lynn); nieces, Dallas Perez and Erin Templeton (husband Sean); nephews, Evan Climpson (wife Kristen) and Justin Climpson; and six great nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, Stephen Climpson.

From an early age Randy was very adept at figuring out how things work.  This talent led him to pursue and obtain a bachelor's degree in engineering mechanics from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in theoretical and applied mechanics from the University of Illinois.  He would also pursue graduate studies in ocean engineering at the University of Rhode Island and obtain an MBA degree in management from the University of California at Berkeley.  Randy enjoyed a professional career of over 30 years with the U.S. Government, chiefly at the then named U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), where his job titles included that of evaluator-in-charge, management analyst, and project manager, working mostly at the agency's offices in San Francisco, CA and Washington, D.C.  He worked on many important and complicated evaluations, investigations, and audits while at GAO, particularly those focusing on national defense, security, and energy issues, for which he was recognized and commended for his significant part in the agency's role in advising the U.S. Congress on such matters.  Before joining GAO, he worked for IBM from 1969 to 1971 in Chicago, IL.  He retired from GAO in 1999, eventually residing for the remainder of his life in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

Randy was a Vietnam War era veteran, serving honorably in the United States Navy on the destroyer USS Eugene A. Greene, DD-711, followed by a stint in the U.S. Navy Reserve.  He rose to the rank of Lieutenant.

Randy had a myriad of interests and was a member of MENSA.  He was an athlete as well who competed in various amateur golf and racquetball tournaments in his adult life, often placing high up in the final results.  In addition, he was an accomplished equestrian and skier.  Randy was a big fan of Virginia Tech sports teams, tracking them through the years as a member of a group of fellow Va Tech alumni, many of whom, like him, were enrolled in ROTC together while there.

A memorial service will be held at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA, where he will be inurned, on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 2:30pm.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.quinnmcgowen.com.

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Quinn McGowen Funeral Home – Wilmington

910-794-7171