Dr. Charles Hatch Hunter, who practiced in the Washington, D.C., area for most of his medical career, died April 8 in Silver Spring, Md. He was an Oak Bluffs summer resident for more than 40 years.

The grandson of slaves, and the son of school teachers, Charles (also known as Charlie and Hatch, just to name a few) was born in Washington on Dec. 18, 1916, and grew up on Capitol Hill. He attended District of Columbia public schools, graduating from Dunbar Senior High School in 1933. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology in 1937, and a master’s degree in physics in 1939, both from Howard University.

In 1938, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, and served in active duty during World War II, receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. During his service, he received flight and armed service training in Alabama, where he became a Tuskegee Airman. After completing his service, he attended Howard University College of Medicine on the G.I. bill, graduating in 1950. While in medical school, he met his classmate, future wife and pediatrician, Gertrude Cora Teixeira of Wollaston. They married in 1952. After graduation, he completed his internship and residency in radiology at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

The Hunters returned to Washington, where Charles maintained a private radiology practice and served on the staff of several hospitals. In 1971, Charles and his family moved to Newton, serving as chief of radiology at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Bedford. They returned to Washington in 1977, where he served as chief of radiology at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington, retiring from practice in 1991.

Charles came to the Vineyard for the first time in the 1940s with Gertrude to her family’s summer home on Pacific avenue in Oak Bluffs. After many returns, the Hunters purchased their first Vineyard home on Waban Park (now Dennis Alley Park) in 1966, where they lived for almost 25 years. They subsequently moved to Farm Neck, and then to their final Vineyard homestead in Meadowview Farms. In 2002, Charles and Gert celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the Vineyard.

Charles had a serious, composed demeanor, but those who were close to him also knew that he had a very relaxed, fun-loving side as well. He was truly a family man, and his greatest joy in life was being surrounded by his relatives and dear friends, enjoying a good conversation, laugh or story. He made certain that all of his homes were filled with comfort and love, complemented by great music, company and food. A man of many interests and talents, Charles was a voracious reader of history and science. He possessed an insatiable passion for family genealogy and archiving, as well as music, photography, electronics, home repair and improvement projects.

Charles was a member of the Eastern Region of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., which nourished his lifelong love of aviation. He was also a member of The Couples Club, The Boule (Sigma Pi Phi), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and numerous medical and honor societies.

Dr. Charles H. Hunter was predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years, Dr. Gertrude Teixeira Hunter, in 2006, and his three sisters.

Survivors include his six devoted children: Dr. James B. Hunter 2nd (and Christine) of Bridgewater, N.J.; Antoinette Reynolds and Charlotte Hunter, both of Silver Spring, Md.; Jacquelyn Jackson of Washington, D.C.; Dr. Barbara Sanders (and Charles) of White Plains, N.Y., and Cheryl Anderson (and Larry) of Rockville, Md.; his brother in law, Dr. Antonio Teixeira of Vineyard Haven; his sister in law, Carolyn Jackson of Oak Bluffs; and seven grandchildren who loved him unconditionally: Teixeira, Sarah, James, Nia, Kunle, Jamil and Lars.