CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF

CHARLES (CHARLIE) H. KITTLESON

Lakeport, California

12 January 1952 - 10 February 2009

Author, musician, entrepreneur, collector, friend, brother and father...Charlie Kittleson was an amazing person who was able to turn his passions into a thriving business which helped create an industry.

Charles Kittleson, a major contributor to the advancement of vacuum tube electronics and audio connoisseurship, passed away on 10 February 2009 following a lingering illness, at this home in Lakeport, CA. Known on the West Coast as Charlie or C.K., he was Editor and Publisher of the critically-acclaimed technical journal, Vacuum Tube Valley Magazine, a quarterly publication featuring scholarly articles on modern and vintage audio vacuum tubes, audio and hi-fi history, early vacuum tube computers, pro-audio and theatre history, musical instrument amplification technology and related topics, for which he wrote more than 60 articles.

Creating Vacuum Tube Valley

The idea for the magazine began in 1994 in collaboration with colleagues John Atwood, Eric Barbour, John Eckland, Jack Elliano, Steve Parr and Dave Wolze. Charlie became editor and publisher in 1995 and they began with offices in Sunnyvale, CA, the heart of Silicon Valley, later moving to San Carlos, Belmont and Lakeport, CA.

Vacuum Tube Valley Magazine won the Printer's Guild of San Francisco Award for Excellence in Printing, with over 6,000 copies printed of each of the 20 magazine issues, and was featured as cover stories in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, as well as other national news outlets. Additionally, the publication was featured in Wired, Business Week magazine, Fox News, Invention and technology, Vanity Fair, American Heritage of Invention & Technology and Smithsonian Magazine. Interested in tube audio since 1964, Charlie was also the author of the Vintage Hi-Fi Spotter's Guides and producer of the documentary video "Vintage Hi-Fi - The Golden Era". Many of his products were available on Amazon.com. His most recent article "Vacuum Tube: State of the Union," was an interview appearing in Vintage Guitar and was published posthumously in March 2009.

In 1999 the late Harvey Rosenberg of New York, the self-appointed creator of the Triode Guild Awards, designated Charlie as the recipient of "The Golden Vacuum Award," for Vacuum Tube Valley Magazine, together with John Atwood and Eric Barbour, citing it as the only American audio publication that celebrates connoisseurship, placing Kittleson decades ahead of his time stating, "VTV magazine as a celebration of that segment of the audio arts is the most expressive of the arts - whether that be fine art, cars, wines or audio art."

A Passion for Music and Vintage Hi-FI

Known internationally for his in-depth personal collection of vintage tube hi-fi and audio vacuum tubes, Charlie was also a collector and hi-fi historian, maintaining a comprehensive library of tube data, historical documents, electronics and audio. He organized numerous expos, festivals and seminars, often in conjunction with musical performances in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Jersey, New York, Pasadena, San Francisco, and other locations. He was the founder and CEO of his business, Vacuum Tube Valley Pro Tube Shop in Lakeport.

Charlie became a luthier specializing in guitar biding and report technology, and had 18+ years experience as a bench tech for repairing and rebuilding guitar amps for musicians throughout the United States. In this connection, de developed Vintage Hi-Fi Rebuilding or Tune-Up Kits, and custom-assembled kits. He also taught various courses, including Tube Guitar Amp School, among others. Charlie was a collector of musical instruments and a performer for over thirty years. Guitar was his primary instrument though he also played piano and sang. In the years preceding his death, he played with Blues Factor bank in Ukiah, CA; the Tin Fish bank in Lakeport, CA; and the Groovetones also in Lakeport. Interested in Blues and Jazz, he was a programmer and radio host for KPFZ 88.1 FM in Lakeport where he was known as C.K. He hosted two radio programs, Jazz by the Lake and Future Knowledge.

In his profile for podomatic.com, Charlie wrote;

"I am a future-thinking person. I like to think seven steps beyond the masses and what he mainstream media is projecting. I want to help people thrive through this time of great challenge." Referring to his radio show Future Knowledge, Charlie covered a wide range of topics and interviews on chemtrails, food safety, prescription drug issues, cell phone safety, famous psychics, the spirit world, astrology, latest political and economic issues, sustainability, UFOs, energy healing, the disappearing bee population and much more. Charlie's interests included, "reading, walking in the woods, bike riding, great conversation, audio-electronics, radio, travel, music of all types, great healthy food, intelligent and interesting people, beautiful places, and fun times with friends."

A native of Albany, MN, Charlie graduated from St. Cloud State University, MN in 1973, with a degree in electronic engineering, and a minor in management. He took additional courses at the University of Minnesota. Charlie held safety and health consulting and management positions in private industry and insurance for 25 years at various companies in California, Illinois, Minnesota, and Texas. He further served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Greater San Jose Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers, where he was named Safety Professional of the Year for 1991-1992, and was the program chair for the 1991 Professional Development Conference in Monterey. Charlie was chosen Certified Safety Professional of the Hear for California 1992-1993 awarded by the American Society of Safety Engineers, among 3,000 candidates. He was skilled in presentations and training for all levels of management and employees, and a frequent guest speaker at other organizations. Additionally he filmed and edited videos for training purposes, notably his development and presentation of seminars and videos including "Employee Safety for the Electronics Industry" and "Stress and the Supervisor".

Family and Friends

Charlie was preceded in death by his father, Howard. His mother more recently passed away, Adeline. Charlie is survived by his daughter Erin, son-in-law, Mike, grandsons Sean and Reid, and sister Gloria.

A true original, Charlie had a curious mind and his interests were wide-ranging. His expansive vision and energetic drive were characteristics, that Jack Elliana echoed when he spoke of Charlie's enthusiasm and his search for rare interviews from pioneers in the industry. Full of intellect and humor, Charlie was also a kind and generous soul. He is greatly missed and held in the highest esteem and with deepest love by his family and many friends.