Charles E. Violet was born on May 1, 1924, in Des Moines, Iowa. Charles married Eileen on February 10, 1951, and they had five children: Mark, David, Deborah, Jeffery, and Richard.
Violet earned a bachelor of philosophy degree and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Chicago. Then he earned a bachelor of arts degree and a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Violet is active duty in the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1946.