Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Alden Black |
| Birth | March 6, 1919 — Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Death | August 4, 2005 — Woodside, California, U.S. |
| Age at Death | 86 |
| Parents | James Byers Black; Katharine McElrath Black |
| Education | Stanford University (BA, 1940); Stanford Graduate School of Business (MBA, 1941) |
| Military Service | U.S. Navy, 1941–1955; Pacific Theater (WWII), Korea |
| Final Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Noted Roles | Naval intelligence officer; ocean-technology entrepreneur; aquaculture pioneer |
| Spouse | Shirley Temple Black (m. December 16, 1950) |
| Children | Charles Alden Black Jr.; Lori “Lorax” Black |
| Stepchildren | Susan (from Shirley Temple’s first marriage) |
| Residence (later years) | Woodside, California |
| Cause of Death | Complications of myelodysplastic syndrome |
Early Life and Education
Charles Alden Black entered the world on March 6, 1919, in Oakland, California, the son of James Byers Black and Katharine McElrath Black. He grew up in a family where high standards and hard work quietly did the talking. By 1940 he had earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and followed it swiftly with an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1941—credentials that would anchor a life of action at sea and innovation on shore.
Even as the economy and the world shifted beneath his generation’s feet, Black stayed oriented toward the horizon. The twin disciplines of liberal learning and business rigor equipped him for an adult life that would demand both courage and judgment.
War and Service
With the onset of the Second World War, Black joined the U.S. Navy in 1941. He served throughout the Pacific Theater, rising to the rank of lieutenant commander. His work took him into the demanding, shadowed world of naval intelligence and torpedo-boat operations—missions that required keen observation, precise timing, and composure under pressure.
That operational ethos carried forward through the early 1950s. His service extended into the Korean War era, completing a 14-year span (1941–1955) in uniform. Whether charting a torpedo boat’s nighttime run or evaluating battlefield intelligence, Black’s approach combined discipline and daring—the same blend that later defined his business ventures.
Entrepreneur of the Sea
After military service, Black steered his talents into commercial and scientific waters. He became an early champion of aquaculture along the California coast, helping to pioneer hatchery and cultivation practices that would make oysters, abalone, and other species more sustainable resources rather than mere harvests of chance. The work was as patient as it was entrepreneurial: the ocean yields her secrets slowly.
He also helped launch and advise ocean-technology enterprises, including firms such as Marquest. These ventures focused on deep-ocean survey, imaging, and search systems, as well as maritime consulting and resource development. It was a pioneering space—equal parts engineering, oceanography, and maritime logistics—where Black’s operational mindset and business acumen aligned perfectly.
Black maintained relationships with the ocean-science community and supported work that pushed exploration deeper and data higher in quality. To him, the sea was both a field of study and a frontier of enterprise: vast, demanding, and worthy of careful stewardship.
Selected Career Focus Areas
| Focus Area | Activities | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Aquaculture | Coastal hatchery initiatives; cultivation practices | Expanded sustainable seafood production along the California coast |
| Ocean Imaging & Survey | Development of deep-ocean search and survey systems | Advanced maritime mapping and deep-sea exploration capabilities |
| Maritime Consulting | Strategic planning and operations for ocean-related ventures | Bridged science, engineering, and business in ocean industries |
A Marriage in Full
On December 16, 1950, Charles Alden Black married Shirley Temple, the former child star who would become a prominent diplomat and public servant. Their marriage lasted 55 years and blended private devotion with public commitments. Together they raised two children—Charles Jr. and Lori—and built a family life that also embraced Shirley’s daughter, Susan, from her previous marriage.
Those who knew the couple often described a partnership built on mutual respect: her diplomacy and public visibility complemented his quiet, resolute focus on enterprise and service. They made their home in the Bay Area, balancing family, philanthropic causes, and work without seeking the spotlight.
Family Members
| Name | Relationship | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Shirley Temple Black | Spouse | Iconic actress; later U.S. diplomat and Chief of Protocol |
| Charles Alden Black Jr. | Son | Second-generation namesake |
| Lori “Lorax” Black | Daughter | Musician and bassist |
| Susan | Stepdaughter | Daughter from Shirley Temple’s first marriage |
| James Byers Black | Father | Family patriarch |
| Katharine McElrath Black | Mother | Family matriarch |
Milestones Timeline
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 6, 1919 | Born in Oakland, California |
| 1940 | BA, Stanford University |
| 1941 | MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business |
| 1941–1945 | WWII service in the Pacific; naval intelligence and torpedo-boat operations |
| Late 1940s–1955 | Continued Navy service; attained lieutenant commander; Korean War era |
| December 16, 1950 | Married Shirley Temple |
| Early–Mid Career | Pioneered aquaculture; launched and led ocean-technology ventures (including Marquest) |
| Later Years | Community and maritime organizations; yachtsman and ocean advocate |
| August 4, 2005 | Died in Woodside, California, age 86 |
Personality and Pastimes
Black’s character was weathered by salt air and careful preparation. He enjoyed life on the water and twice crewed in the Transpacific Yacht Race, a demanding bluewater contest that leaves little room for ego and no margin for error. Friends and colleagues remember a man who preferred to let outcomes tell his story—ventures launched, crews led, projects finished—rather than chasing attention. Beneath that reserve was humor, loyalty, and a deep love of both family and the ocean.
Final Years and Legacy
In his final years, Black faced the challenge of myelodysplastic syndrome, a disorder of the bone marrow. He died on August 4, 2005, in Woodside, California. He left behind a maritime legacy that bridged wartime service, scientific advancement, and commercial innovation, and a family whose imprint on American culture and public life is unmistakable. Like a seasoned navigator, he kept his keel steady through shifting seas—devoted husband, disciplined officer, forward-looking entrepreneur.
FAQ
Who was Charles Alden Black?
An American naval officer and maritime entrepreneur (1919–2005), he was known for WWII intelligence service and later ocean-technology and aquaculture ventures.
What was his connection to Shirley Temple?
He married Shirley Temple on December 16, 1950, and they remained married for 55 years.
What did he do during World War II?
He served as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer in the Pacific, working with torpedo-boat operations and rising to lieutenant commander.
Did he have children?
Yes—two with Shirley Temple: Charles Jr. and Lori; he was also stepfather to Shirley’s daughter, Susan.
What businesses did he build?
He helped pioneer aquaculture initiatives and co-founded or led ocean-tech firms, including Marquest, focused on deep-sea survey and imaging.
Where did he study?
He earned a BA from Stanford University in 1940 and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1941.
When and how did he die?
He died on August 4, 2005, in Woodside, California, from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome.
Was he involved in sailing?
Yes, he was an avid yachtsman and twice crewed in the Transpacific Yacht Race.
