Charles joined Metro Transit on Jan. 21, 1980, as a bus driver. "Rocky," as he was known to many he worked with, earned the outstanding operator award two times for safe driving, quality customer service and attendance. During his nearly 31 years of service, he also earned Metro Transit's annual safe driving award 23 times. His colleagues, fiancée and several grandchildren gathered in December to cap his career with a retirement celebration at Heywood Garage in January 2011.