Dr. Charles Radford Stearns began his eternal life with Christ Sunday, August 31, 2008 after experiencing all he could during the time God gave him on earth.

He was born in Evanston, Illinois on October 12, 1940 to George Radford and Elisabeth D. Stearns and is survived by his wife of 42 years Mary Lucy (Franzman), his children Katherine Radford Stearns, Kristine Radford Lively (Ty), Thomas Radford Stearns and Ana Silva

After attending Notre Dame University he graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery (Loyola) in 1967) to serve as an officer in the United States Navy in Albany, GA from 1967-1969. Dr. Stearns practiced general dentistry in Winder, GA but assembled the perfect staff in Lilburn, GA where he worked until his retirement in 2006.

Adventure travel, scuba diving, numismatics, underwater and wildlife photography and the Georgia Aquarium were just a few of his interests. His most significant trait was unbridled enthusiasm for anything he embraced, in his later years being the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Lilburn Relay for Life.

In numismatics he was a long term member of ANA and was serving on the board of Governors. He was a speaker at conventions on several topics and as a collector, displayed exhibits and won the Howland Wood award. He played a large part in getting the book State of Georgia Treasury Notes, Certificates and Bonds completed and opened the door to many new collectors and exhibitors.

He will be missed greatly by those whose lives he touched. Let us remember that we need not mourn when great men as these are lost, but rather celebrate that they had lived among us.

So sad to hear of Rad Stearns' passing. He'd fought cancer so hard for the past several years, and always remained positive about it. Such an enthusiastic guy, always contributing and sharing, and with a passion for many areas of numismatics, Georgia Colonial currency being one of his favorites. He had a world class collection of it. He actually cost me a lot of money because he exhibited his collection of it at an ANA show 20 plus years ago. I saw it, got hooked, and have been collecting it ever since. He took such pride and joy in sharing by exhibiting at shows many of his varied numismatic interests.

He was always active and contributing & sharing his passion for our hobby. He recently ran and was elected to the ANA Board, and had a lot of sound ideas to help dig the ANA out of its current mess.

He was proud of his wife and children. Just a wonderful, generous human being, and a friend whom Im proud to have known & whom Ill miss dearly. Thank you Rad for all you did to better our world.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Charles Radford Stearns, DDS on August 31, 2008. He was a close and personal friend of both of us. This is a great loss not only for his wife Mary Lu and their family, but also the entire numismatic community. Dr Radford Stearns had a great love for the numismatic hobby and contributed in many ways. He ran for the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors for the 2007-2009 terms and was successful. He will be missed on this important Board for which he brought knowledge, wisdom, energy and enthusiasm.

He was a great collector of Georgia Colonial Paper Money winning the ANA Howland Wood Best in Show Award. Besides collecting Georgia Colonial Paper Money, he also was a collector of Russian Money. Dr. Stearns not only exhibited at the ANA, but many other conventions around the country including CSNS and FUN. He was General Chairman for the 1987 American Numismatic Association (ANA) Convention in Atlanta, GA., where he received the ANA Goodfellows Award. This award is given to the ANA General Chairmen.

He also served at various ANA Conventions as Assistant General Chair, Educational Forum Chair and Exhibit Chair. He has served on the ANA Audit Committee. During this current term, he was Co-Chair of the Educational Committee. He has been on Numismatic Theater programs for the ANA, FUN, CSNS and many others. Besides these achievements, Dr. Radford Stearns has served in many capacities for the Georgia Numismatic Association and Blue Ridge Numismatic Association. He was appointed by President Gerald Ford to the United States Assay Commission.

Dr. Radford Stearns received many honors from the numismatic community that he was so dedicated to and loved so much. In 2004, he received the ANA Glenn Smedley Award and in 1995 two Presidents Awards. The coveted Numismatic News Ambassador Award was bestowed on him in 1988.

This great Numismatist, Doctor and family man has left a mark on everyone who has crossed his path. He will be in the memory of everyone who knew him. His work and accomplishments in the hobby and professionally will never be forgotten. All of our prayers and thoughts to his wife Mary Lu and the family. On behalf of numismatists everywhere, Rad, you will be missed but never forgotten.