Eight Bells: Charles Tobias

Charles Tobias, creator and founder of Pusser’s Rum, passed away October 14, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born in Canada in 1934, he attended the University of Southern California, earning degrees in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering. He subsequently joined the US Marine Corps and flew missions in Vietnam and Laos. He was shot down, escaped, and returned to civilian life to start a tech company in Santa Monica, California.

He founded Veradyne, Inc, aiming to counter surface-to-air missile threats. He secured a government contract to develop silicon transistors and radar-jamming technology, building Veradyne into a $100 million enterprise before merging with Fairchild Semiconductor. – Full report