Charles Virgil Metzler; CSUN Professor Emeritus

Charles Virgil Metzler, a professor of engineering at Cal State Northridge, died this week at the age of 68.

Metzler, who died of blood poisoning on Monday, had lived in Ventura County with his wife, Jane, since 1980.

Born in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 11, 1929, Metzler received his PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Louisville in 1960.

In 1963, he became the first faculty member of the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Northridge. At CSUN, Metzler served as chairman of the School of Mechanical Engineering and as president of the general faculty for one year. He retired from the university as a professor emeritus in 1993.

Metzler was an active member of the Church of the Foothills and a member of the American Society of Engineering Education. In addition to gardening, travel and reading, Metzler was particularly interested in ancient and medieval history.

Metzler is survived by his wife of 44 years and his children, Chuck Metzler of Elk Grove, Chris Metzler of Encinitas, Matt Metzler of Sonoma, Mary Metzler-Goldman of Turku, Finland, Liz Leslie of Red Bluff, and John Metzler of Eureka, eight grandchildren and his sisters Marie Tharp and Trudy Walters of Louisville.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Foothills on Friday at 11 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foothill Fund or Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.

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