Charles Tranter
A gentleman who embraced life in Warren, PA, Charles Richardson Tranter was born on January 10, 1924, to Edith Richardson Tranter and Richard Wager Tranter, and died at age 93 on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at the home of his daughter and son in Lewisberry, PA . A lifelong community member, Chuck graduated from Warren Area High School (1941) and attended Northwestern and George Washington (GW) Universities. While at GW, he served as the Washington Redskins Drum Major during the fateful game coinciding with the attack at Pearl Harbor, for which many in the military quickly left the stadium. He returned to Warren to work, raise a family and follow his passion for supporting the Warren community. A favorite quote, “Make no small dreams, and accept the risk of pursuing them,” exemplifies his way of life.
First a news announcer for WNAEradio, Chuck left Warren for a short time to work as a television director for WNBF in Binghamton, NY. He returned to Warren to serve as the Executive Director of the Warren County Chamber of Commerce and also as the business manager for the Pennsylvania Singing Boys. At the same time he became the charter president for the Warren County Chapter of the JayCees.
Following, he opened a public relations and advertising agency, created many community image books within the region and began an affiliation with Chautauqua Institution as the public relations director. Chautauqua celebrated its Centennial and Chuck was proud to receive from the Public Relations Society of America the 1974 Silver Anvil Award for excellence in special events. Always active in community affairs, Chuck directed the United Fund of Warren County for 40 years and worked with the steering committee to build the Interfaith Chapel at Warren State Hospital. He was also president of the Warren Concert Association for many years.
He worked diligently at fund raising for many organizations, including Warren General Hospital, Warren Public Library, Women’s Club of Warren and others. He became a Trustee of the Struthers Library Theatre and was instrumental in the renovation of the theatre and the creation of the Friends of the Library Theatre. Later he became the Executive Director of Struthers, helped to produce 18 musicals over the years as part of the Struthers Summer Playhouse, and was pleased to accept the Struthers Peacock Award.
A man of literature and music, as well as a lover of history particularly local, he wrote and published a trilogy of books focusing on Warren’s past: “The Way We Were” “Oakland”, and “Wondrous Warren”. Chuck loved magic, performed to the delight of many audiences and collected unique magic pieces and posters throughout his life. An 83year member of the First United Methodist Church in Warren, he was recognized on Heritage Sunday as the longest living member, and was a 50year member of the Fraternal Order of the Masonic Temple, as well as a 46year member of the Warren Shakespeare Club.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Adele Erickson Tranter, four children Elisa (Gary), Laurie, Mark (Paula) and Jeffrey (Sherri); grandchildren, Emily, Olivia, Alexander, Jordan, Paden, Jessica and Charlie, as well as great grandchildren, Andre, Avery and Athan. Also, his sister, Connie Warner (Laurean), sisterinlaw Clare Smith, sisterinlaw Alice Tranter, cousin Gloria Grotzinger and many nieces and nephews.
Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Richard Wager Tranter, his mother, Edith Richardson Tranter, sisters Jeanne and Ellen, brother Richard, brother inlaw Richard W. Smith and nephew Scott Smith.
Friends will be received at the Peterson-Blick Funeral Home, Inc. 1003 Penn. Ave. E., Warren, on Friday, February 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 200 Market Street, Warren, on Saturday, February 25, at 1 p.m.
Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Warren County, 310 Second Avenue, Warren, PA 16365.
Econdolences may be sent by visiting www.petersonblickfuneralhome.com.