Away from his research, Bates was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America in Indiana, earning numerous awards.
While there, Bates developed high fructose corn syrup sweetener for Coca-Cola in their soft drinks.
Bates was an active member of the American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC), serving on their Board of directors in 1991.
He also had two sons (Charles Jr. and Richard L.), one daughter (Priscillia (Penny) Crosland), two grandsons, one granddaughter, two brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews as well.
Memorials were listed in the November 2006 issue of Food Technology, the IFT Chicago section, and in the Calumet Council B.S.A.