Armstrong – Table of Contents

personal tribute appeared in the Mount Union College Bulletin (21) written by a fellow
alumnus, Dr. Howard B. Andervont, class of 1923. Dr. Andervont was a contemporary of
Armstrong. He worked in the National Cancer Institute and was well known for his
studies of the Bittner mouse mammary tumor, later recognized as caused by a retrovirus.
His peers and associates have provided previously their evaluations of Charles Armstrong
as a scientist and dedicated investigator. His daughter (1) provided her insight of him as a
father with deep personal moral and ethical principles. He came from a family guided by
spiritual values, and he married into a family with similar values. His gentleness of spirit
and reverence, however, enabled him to wear his religion lightly in a non-proselytizing
manner. At home, and for his daughter, he was a ready source of maxims and Poor
Richard’s Almanac-like aphorisms to guide the activities of daily living. Because of his
obvious love and enthusiasm for his research activities, he was grateful for his family’s
strong support and encouragement. He was in harmony with himself (“comfortable in his
own skin”), felt that his professional endeavors were worthwhile and that he was making
significant contributions to the community. He was gregarious but enjoyed solitude
especially when he was working alone in the laboratory, in his home garden, or on the
small “farm” he loved so much in nearby Maryland. It was at these times that he had
some of his most creative ideas when he had opportunities for relaxed meditation and
quiet contemplation. Mary Armstrong (1) related Mrs. Bess Armstrong’s stating that Dr.
Armstrong’s first love was his job and that she came next; however noted, that among the
world of people, Dr. Armstrong’s wife came first in his affections and his daughter
second. His private world and his home life were for study, rest, refreshment, support and
relaxation. The love was there mutually and abundantly; both women tried, as much as