Born in Vienna, he came to the US in the 1940s and earned a BS degree from Catholic University of America and a PhD from University of Chicago in physical chemistry.
After leaving ARPA, he was the vice president for research and technology at ITT Corporation, director of defense research and engineering in the Department of Defense, and senior consultant to the presidential science adviser. He has been a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel since its formation in 1970. He has served on the Defense Science Board and the Defense Policy Board. He has testified frequently before Congress and written and lectured on the subjects of his expertise.
Charles Herzfeld passed away in February 2017.