Touching Gently: A Memoir by Ambler Publishing Company | Redlands Roots, War Service, and Enduring Love

Touching Gently is a memoir that invites readers into a life shaped by enduring family ties, quiet courage, and the shifting tides of history. Set against the backdrop of Redlands, California, during the Great Depression, the narrative paints sensory scenes—the scent of citrus in the air, the rhythm of the city, and the steady, caring voice of a boy who grows into a thoughtful man. The book traces a path from boyhood charm through Eagle Scout pride, a lifelong love of golf, and the seafaring duties aboard a destroyer during the Korean War. It culminates in a deeply personal portrait of love and loss, anchored by the author’s partnership with Joan Van Euer.

Meet the people who shaped a life

Charles Hargrove writes with plainspoken honesty about the figures who guided him: a wise father, a strong, loving mother, and his talented Uncle Jack. Their influence is felt not as grand gestures, but as daily acts of care that form the texture of memory.

• Family bonds that endure through hardship
• A front-row seat to cultural and historical moments
• Stories of coming of age told with warmth and clarity

From Eagle Scout to sea duty

Readers will sense the crisp air of the coast, the discipline of scouting, and the camaraderie aboard a destroyer during wartime service. The narrative honors tough choices, quiet victories, and the pull of a lifelong passion for golf.

• Coming-of-age experiences that resonate across generations
• Life at sea and the rhythms of shipboard life
• Sports and hobbies that anchor personal identity

Love, memory, and the human voyage

In the later chapters, the author shares the joyful courtship with Joan Van Euer and the sorrow of her Alzheimer's, presenting a candid account of love, partnership, and the realities of growing old together.

• Relationships as the compass of a life
• Honest reflections on love, loss, and memory
• A tribute to the people who remain with us in memory

Why this memoir matters to readers

This memoir offers a thoughtful invitation to reflect on ordinary moments that accumulate into a meaningful life. It may illuminate resilience, gratitude, and the quiet beauty of being human, without promising outcomes.