Charles Merritt Northup, M.D.

October 17, 1949 - April 27, 2020

Charles Merritt Northup, 70, passed away on Monday April 27, 2020 in his longtime home of Ft. Myers, FL. “Charlie,” as he was known by most, was born in 1949 in Avon Park, FL, the youngest child of Clytee B. White and Edwin C. Northup and younger brother to Linda.  In the 1950’s the Northup’s moved to St. Petersburg, FL, and it was there that Charlie spent much of his youth and developed the passion for his lifelong hobby of fishing.  Charlie later met his future wife Nancy Pechin also of St. Petersburg, and they were wed there in 1970.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Germany.  After returning home, he attended Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and graduated with honors with a degree in chemistry. Charlie followed in the footsteps of his father Ed and pursued a career as a medical doctor, attending Georgia State Medical College, where he graduated in 1978 and chose a specialty in emergency medicine.  He did his residency at Michigan State University under Dr. John Wiegenstein, the father of emergency medicine.  In 1981 Charlie, Nancy and their young daughter Alison moved to Ft. Myers, FL, where Charlie worked as an emergency physician at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center for over 20 years, and later as treasurer for Southwest Florida Emergency Medical Physicians, PA, a medical group of which he was a founding member.  It was also in Ft. Myers where Charlie and Nancy had their second and third daughters, Kristin and Robyn. An avid boater and fisherman since childhood, Charlie enjoyed many fishing trips on the gulf and in the Florida Keys with his family and friends, particularly enjoying fishing for snook, grouper, snapper and mahi-mahi as well as lobstering during Florida mini season. Charlie was also a self-taught PC builder.  Volunteering PC’s he built, he contributed to the Folding@Home computing project for simulating protein dynamics for some time.  Charlie retired from his work with his emergency medicine group in 2015. 

He is survived by his wife Nancy; their daughters, Alison, Kristin and Robyn; grandson, Brayden and granddaughter, Jenny; his sister, Linda Carter and her husband John.

 In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Charlie’s name to The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, PO BOX 11010, Tallahassee, FL 32302.

For details on the memorial service, please contact kristinnorthup@gmail.com

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Randy Pechin May 7, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    Charlie was my brother in law and an avid conversationalist and I enjoyed many hours with him. This included years when we were both living in Atlanta and many, many years since those early college and career days. I have fond memories of many family reunions at Nancy and Charlie’s. Charlie was also a car enthusiast who did much of his own work on his early “hot rods”. Charlie, may you rest in peace. You will be missed.

  2. Dean Luallen May 7, 2020 at 7:28 pm

    Charlie was my next door neighbor on Twin Palm Drive. He was a brilliant man with a broad range of knowledge about many things. I enjoyed many successful fishing trips with him and had the privilege of watching his beautiful daughters grow up next door. My condolences to his wife, Nancy, Allison, Kristin, and Robyn. Rest In Peace, Charlie.

  3. Chris Hansen Jun 30, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    It was an honor to have mentored under Dr. Charlie at SW Regional ER. He was a great guy, good doctor with a steady demeanor. Charlie was always willing to teach us medics who were blessed to work in the ER with him. Thank you, Charlie for your service to our country and dedication to our community. Rest In Peace!

  4. John H Bellew, DO FACEP Aug 18, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    I worked with Charlie for many years and fished with him several times before his back problems. We were friends in the fray to provide good emergency care in challenging environments. I am sad to see him pass and give my belated condolences to Nancy.

Leave a Comment