Charles M. Totman (Qubitt)

February 20, 2003

from Betsy Wegner (Molson)
In the Harris Publishing 2003 BHS Alumni Directory I found an unfamiliar classmate's name: Charles M. Qubitt (pronounced cue-bit). The first two initials matched Charles Melville Totman, whom I have not heard about since graduation. I decided to call the phone number and asked to speak with Charles. A hesitant female answered and asked what I wanted. I went on to explain that I was looking for Charles Melville who went by the name of Totman when he attended BHS in the class of 1958. I told her I was trying to locate him to share Classmate information with his class.

She reluctantly told me he had died 5 years ago after a three-year battle with colon cancer. I told her I was very sorry to hear that news and wished I had been able to locate him sooner. She couldn't understand why his name appeared in the 2003 BHS Alumni Directory for the first time after being gone for five years. It is a mystery who provided the information to Harris Publishing! I asked her to share with me what Charles did after graduating from BHS in 1958 so I could share his information with his Classmates and she agreed.

Charles Melville Qubitt was born in England. His father was a Tank Commander in the British Army serving in Africa when he was killed and Charles was only 9 months old. Charles never remembered his father. Charles' mother remarried. Charles came with his mother and step-father (Richard Totman) to Barrington when Charles was young. His mother changed his name to Charles Melville Totman. After high school, Charles took back his real name when he found his birth certificate read Charles Melville Qubitt.

Charles attended the University of Illinois for a few years, then joined the Army, serving in Germany most of his service career. While in the Army, Charles' mother, step-father and three younger sisters moved to Phoenix, Arizona because his father took a position in banking. After the service, Charles became an
X-ray Technician and worked in several hospitals in Phoenix. It was there he met Christine (6 years younger) and married in 1968. They had two children, James and Melissa. Charles left hospital work and went into business for himself doing Interior Landscaping. Their son gave them their first grandchild, Kelly.

Christine and Charles were married 31 years in 1999 when Charles passed away. Christine continues working as a registered nurse and is looking forward to her 40th High School Class Reunion this year with a class the size of our class.