Dr. Charles D. Van Eaton

Published 2:10 am Sunday, August 2, 2015

Dr. Charles D. Van Eaton, 79, of Hixson, passed away July 20, 2015, at his residence.

Dr. Van Eaton was a resident of Bowling Green from 1970 to 1979 where he taught in the economics department at Western Kentucky University. His daughters graduated from Warren East High School in 1975, 1977 and 1978.

He is survived by wife of 58 years, Katharine (Katy) Jones Van Eaton; daughters Valerie L. Van Eaton of Nashville and Charlotte R. Bishop of Chattanooga; son Dr. W. David Van Eaton of Hixson; and numerous grand and great-grandchildren. His younger daughter, Laurie Van Eaton-Pavlic, died in November 2014.

Dr. Van Eaton attended Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tenn., where he majored in biblical studies; the University of Memphis where he graduated with honors in economics and political philosophy, and Tulane University of New Orleans, where he received a Ph.D. in economics.

Before becoming R.C. Hoiles professor of libertarian studies and serving as chairman of the Department of Economics and Business Administration at Michigan’s Hillsdale College from 1978 to 1998, he taught at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Western Kentucky University. Following his work at Hillsdale, he joined the new Graduate School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., where he held the John M. Olin Chair in Economics. Following his retirement and move to Hixson, he enjoyed four years of productive association with Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., where he served as Distinguished Professor at Large and Director of the Bryan Center for Public Policy at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn.

Those who would like to honor his life may do so by making a gift to the Central Church of Christ, 400 Vine St., Chattanooga, TN or Boyd-Buchanan School, 4650 Buccaneer Trail, Chattanooga, TN 37411. 

Arrangements are made by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.legacyfuneralhome.com.