Charlie Disparte

Charlie Disparte was born in Los Angeles on March 30th 1927 and died in Santa Barbara on September 20th 2023. He was an accomplished composer/arranger, trumpet player, computer engineer, and teacher.

He graduated from Los Angeles’ Washington High School in February 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was trained as an Electronic Technician’s Mate and served aboard the USS Birmingham until his discharge in August 1946.

In 1948 Charlie married Rojan McKim. They were married until Rojan’s death in 2009. Their only child, Gina was born in 1960.

Charlie held a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern California and an M.S. degree in Engineering from UCLA.

From 1949 to 1955 Charlie taught music at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, and Fremont High School in Los Angeles.

From 1955 to 1961 he worked as an electronics technician at Hughes Aircraft Company in Culver City.

From 1961 to 1988 he was a computer engineer at North American Aviation (Autonetics Division) Hughes Aircraft Company, Scientific Data Systems, Xerox Corporation, Raytheon Company and General Motors Corporation (Delco Systems Division).

During this period, he taught evening courses in mathematics and computer engineering at Western States College of Engineering, and Loyola-Marymount University.

As an engineer, he authored several technical papers on computer design and was co-inventor for three U.S. patents.

Charlie, a trumpet player, was a life member of the Los Angeles Musicians Union Local 47.

After retiring from computer engineering in 1988, he played with the Allan Hancock College PCPA theater orchestra and other Santa Barbara bands and orchestras.

Until age 80, Charlie was an avid recreational biker. At age 60 he pedaled for 250 miles on a week-long trip down the California coast from Monterey to Solvang.

From 1988 to 1993, he taught mathematics and music at Santa Barbara City College. In addition to a Special Secondary College Credential in Music, he held a lifetime California Community College Credential in Mathematics.

From 1989 to 1993 Charlie directed the Good Times Big Band at Santa Barbara City College. From 1992 to 1996 he led the No Deadwood Big Band at Cuesta College.

In 1991 he founded the Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble (originally called Solvang Danish Garde Band). From 1993 to 2004 he led the Santa Barbara Stardusters Big Band.

Beginning in 2009 he played baritone, value trombone, and French horn in the Santa Barbara Prime Time Band.

His musical compositions and arrangements include works for chorus, voice, concert band, brass ensemble and big band jazz ensemble.

He lived with his family in Solvang, California from 1974 to 2004. In 2005, he and Rojan moved to Santa Barbara.

Charlie is survived by his close friend Margret Buelow, brother Louis Disparte, sister Shelley Edlin, grandsons Jacob Root, and David Quiroz, and great grandsons Beckhem Root, Hudson Root, and Luca Root.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rojan (2009), daughter Gina (2015), brother Ted (2017), and grandson Cody Root (2021).

His last years were spent as a resident of Santa Barbara’s Vista del Monte Retirement Community.

Services will be held at Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels located at 15 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara, on November 9th at 11am.