Charles Spilman

Charles Spilman was born Charles Merritt Spilman on October 1, 1898, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Mary Brewer Van Arsdale and Benjamin F. Spilman. He attended schools in Harrodsburg and Lexington High School. After enlisting in the Navy in 1917 and serving for 23 months, he returned to school and completed four years of coursework in three. In 1920, Lexington High awarded him the Yale Cup for academic achievement, athletics, and character.

At Kentucky, Spilman played guard and forward during the 1922–23 basketball season. He appeared in four games for coach George Buchheit’s Wildcats. A contemporary Kentucky yearbook described “Charlie” as a keen player who fought hard for the squad, offering a glimpse of his contribution beyond the box score.

Spilman also made his mark on Kentucky’s tennis courts, serving as team captain and president of the university tennis club. He belonged to Mystic “13,” Delta Chi, and Scabbard and Blade. In 1924, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army.

After college, Spilman worked for General Electric and later returned to military service. During World War II, he served on Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s staff in the Pacific and subsequently held a special services assignment at Governors Island, New York. He later worked with General Telephone and retired as a colonel in the Army Reserve. Spilman died on November 21, 1970, at age 72.