Charles Benjamin Gearhart, Jr., a retired Baltimore City school teacher and Guidance counselor died of cancer at his home in Aiken, SC on December 6. He was 79. Mr.Gearhart was born and raised in Altoona, PA. He served in the Armed Forces during World War II. Upon his return from the service, he attended Penn. State University completing his education and receiving his degree from Indiana State Teachers College of Pennsylvania. In 1954, Mr.Gearhart moved to Pikesville after accepting a position as social studies and mathematics teacher at Roland Park Junior High School. He taught there until 1966. He then received his Master?s of Education certification from Towson State University and began guidance counseling. Among the schools in which he counseled were Lemmel Junior High, Eastern Vocational Tech, and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He retired from the city school system in 1983. Mr.Gearhart held numerous other jobs while teaching and counseling. Among those were, Baltimore County Adult Education and G.E.D. instructor, rink supervisor at Meadowbrook Ice Club, owner of Melody Lodge Day Camp, owner of a Roland Park/Homeland lawn care service, various positions at Hauswald?s Bakery, and United States Immigration?s inspector. He was a collegiate wrestler and tennis player, high school wrestling coach in PA, amateur boxer, and thoroughbred racehorse owner. Mr. Gearhart was a member of the American Legion?s Parkville Post #163 and former member of the Milford Mill United Methodist Church. He was an avid gardener, ceramic artist, golfer, and lover of Jack Russell terrier?s ? notably, his loyal canine companion ?Lady?. Mr. Gearhart was married 52 years to his wife, the former Lois Anne Caldwell. Mrs. Gearhart was employed for 40 years as the medical secretary for the late Dr. Edwin Pierpont and Dr. Tahorra Kawaja. In addition to his wife, survivors include sons Bruce Anne Gearhart of Towson, Mark and Randall Cynthia both of Aiken, SC, sisters, Dorothy Davis of Birmingham, AL, Barbara Hoff of Altoona, PA, brothers Ronald Gearhart of San Bernadino, CA, Gary Gearhart of Altoona, PA, grandsons, Charles Benjamin Gearhart, III, and Rufus Mac Gearhart A private memorial service will be held in Aiken, SC. The family wishes that memorials be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 681 Silver Bluff Rd., Aiken, SC 29803.