Alpha Frater, Charles Green, longtime Detroit educator dies at 82

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Charles Green was committed to ensuring the best educational tools for Detroit’s students.

Working for more than 20 years as a research associate for Detroit Public Schools’ Office of Research, Evaluation, Assessment & Accountability, Mr. Green examined various projects and programs at schools throughout the district to determine if each met performance standards.

“That’s what we believed in,” said Linda Leddick, the office’s former executive director. “He believed in trying to make things as good as they could be.”

Mr. Green died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, after an illness. He was 82.

Born Oct. 17, 1927, he grew up on the city’s west side and graduated from Northwestern High School.

After serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II, he earned a bachelor’s degree in educational and clinical psychology from the University of Michigan in 1952, and a doctorate in research evaluation and psychology from Wayne State University.

For years, he taught special education in DPS. He also was a clinical psychologist who practiced privately for more than 15 years and worked as an adjunct instructor for Wayne County Community College District, relatives said.

A former special education director at Northville State Hospital, Mr. Green also was a human relations consultant for the Detroit and Milwaukee education boards and co-authored several publications, associates said.

For years, he was a stress management consultant for the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency and volunteered as a city mediator, said his wife, Marilyn.

Mr. Green also was involved with numerous groups, including the Association of Black Psychologists; Boy Scouts of America; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit; and Alpha Phi Alpha.

Another love was the WestSiders, a group chronicling the history of the area where he grew up. Serving as its president, Mr. Green also researched and compiled several portions of a book by the group, said Suesetta McCree, a longtime member. “He spent a lot of time and energy. He was quite a scholar.”

Mr. Green loved boating on the Detroit River and traveling. In March, he and his wife trekked to Israel. “He just wanted to walk in the steps of pharaohs and kings,” Marilyn Green said.

Other survivors include a daughter, Iris Diop; a son, Robin Green; a stepdaughter, Monique Harper; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; five step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and a sister, Betty Harris.

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