Earle was born on a farm in Minnesota and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State College. After serving four years in the Army Corps of Engineers during WWII, he came to Wilmington, N.C. in 1946 as a Civil Engineer. He served as an Assistant Chief, Military Design Branch; and as Chief of Planning and Reports and Asst. Chief, Engineering Div. During these years his greatest achievements were in Civil Works Planning, including the B. Everett Jordan Dam and Lake and the Northeast Cape Fear River Study. He retired from the Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.
While living in Wilmington, Earle was active serving as Scout Master of Boy Scouts of America and was devoted to serving others during his retirement years as a volunteer at New Hanover Regional Hospital. He continued serving in Cardiac Rehabilitation with Rex Hospital after moving to Cary. He served many years on the Board of Ordained Ministry with the United Methodist Church. He designed and directed church and community projects and continued to serve in his later years on the Building and Grounds committee at Glenaire Retirement Community where he and Rebecca lived for the last 18 years.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Rebecca, and his two children, son Michael and wife Betty, and daughter Beth McKoy and husband Rick, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. A man of integrity and deep faith in God, Earle was a faithful husband and loving father, and adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
