Armstrong – Table of Contents

“You have earned abiding recognition from the generations of Americans who
may be assured better health and longer lives through your own dedication. On their
behalf, I salute you”.
Additional letters of congratulations also followed from many friends including
Cornelius B. Philip, Ph. D., Principal Medical Entomologist at the Rocky Mountain
Laboratory in Hamilton, Montana, and George M. King, M. D., a private medical
practitioner in Alliance, Ohio (11).
On June 2, 1967, he received his final lifetime honor (11,17). He was awarded the
Distinguished Alumnus Award from his Alliance High School. The small diploma said:
“Presented to Charles Armstrong. In recognition of outstanding achievement and
inspiration to the students and faculty of Alliance High School. [Signed] Walter A.
Wollam, William F. Rogers.” Unfortunately, Armstrong could not accept the award in
person because he was too infirm in the last few days of his terminal illness.
The final two years of Armstrong’s life became uncomfortable because of rapidly
declining vigor and recurrent hospitalizations related to his illnesses. Also, his wife of 45
years, Elizabeth Rich (Bess), passed away on April 14, 1965, 26 months before his own
death. He steadfastly nursed and cared for her during her final few months before she
succumbed to severe heart disease. Despite his own failing health, he assumed many of
the household chores and duties to relieve his daughter who lived at home and who was
teaching school fulltime in Montgomery County, Maryland. He tended the family yard
and lawn, continued gardening and farming on a limited basis, cooked meals, did the
shopping and relieved his daughter’s busy schedule as much as possible. Painful and
debilitating illnesses began to appear. He developed painful compression fractures of the