It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Charles Jerome Kilmer III, who left us peacefully on the morning of January 9, 2025, at the age of 78. Charles was born on September 20, 1946, in Binghamton, New York, to Charles Jerome II and Jule Kilmer.

Charles lived a life of adventure, service, and love. He spent time in Ethiopia and Kenya as a member of the Peace Corps, eradicating smallpox. This is where he met Kathleen (Kiley) Caldwell. They would later return to the Black Hills, where they would marry and welcome their daughter Maria (Mia) Renville.

Much of his life was spent in the beautiful hills of South Dakota, where he found peace and connection to nature with sail boating and camping. Charles retired as a Physician Assistant in Psychiatry from the VA in Fort Meade, SD.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Maria Renville; stepchildren Lindsay Hawks (Scot), Scott, and Joshua Patton; his cherished grandchildren Zachaeus (Jena) Shaw, Monique and Elliott Renville, Annika, Olivia and Eli Hawks, Jax, and Lucas Patton; great-grandchildren Zaire, Zavien, and Ariella Shaw; siblings Jean Cost, Jim, and Rick Kilmer; and extended family, who hold his memory dear and celebrate the life he lived so fully.

Thank you to his special friends who were always there to help him, West River, Peter Squyer and Terry Ostwald.

In honoring his life, we reflect on his contributions, his passions, and the way he brought warmth and love to everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Charles' life will be celebrated this summer in Nemo, SD.