Columbus’ original beatnik and prime hippie #1 Charlie Einhorn passed into the cosmos in April 2019. So central was Charlie to Columbus’ budding counterculture of the 1960s is that the first headshop took its name from his musical instrument, Charlie’s Guitar. His good friend and co-conspirator Stan Bobrof told the Free Press Charlie’s Guitar was “where it’s at.” Charlie is now drinking coffee and reminiscing with Stan in paradise.

One of the most interesting and unknown aspects of Charlie’s life was his escape from the holocaust and journey to Belgium and eventually the United States. He later relished teaching new immigrants English as a Second Language, because he could relate from his own experiences.

The Freep itself owes a huge debt to Charlie Einhorn and his wife Lynn Stan for the uncountable hours they put in – way into night laying out the paper in the 1990s. Charlie moved the Free Press out of the paste-up stone ages into the desktop publishing era. His creative ideas for the cover were some of the best in Freep history.

More than anything, Charlie – a huge promoter of arts and music in the community – loved to discuss philosophy and all new cultural trends. He did it all – photography, gardening, traveling. Charlie was the grooviest guy I ever met and that’s no BS, daddy-o. ~ Bob Fitrakis

Recollections of my friend Charlie Einhorn

I met Charlie at the Atlanta Pop Festival in Macon, Georgia in 1970. My girlfriend and I had no sooner set up our tent when some very interesting hippies introduced themselves. Charlie was one of those guys. They explained that they were part of an encampment of retro-fitted school buses at the bottom of the hill and that we should come visit. We did and it changed my life. Charlie and I are part of a family of friends from those buses who have been celebrating life together for close to five decades.

Charlie loved a good story and he was really interested in what you had going on. He was always ready to go to the Angry Baker for a pastry and cup of coffee to talk about his garden, politics, current events and his beloved granddaughters, pretty much whatever you wanted to talk about.

He was so proud of his kids, Aaron and Adam, and loved them so. He was a family man and celebrated those blessings in his life. Especially his lovely wife, Lynn, with whom he shared his life for 33 years.

One of my main memories about Charlie is the way, when he saw a friend, he’d open his arms to welcome you in. “Gail!” he’d say and give me a big hug. I miss that. . Everyone loved him and vice versa. Charlie pretty much welcomed everyone into his world and enjoyed making new friends.

In addition to family and gardening, Charlie loved MCing at Comfest and Hot Times festivals. You could always count on Charlie to take the mike and get up on stage. He could work the crowd like a pro. ~ Gail Larned