Richard Franklin Charles

Richard Franklin Charles, husband, father, business and university executive died on August 6, 2018 at his Cornwall Manor home. Richard was born in Lancaster, PA on November 20th, 1931 to Isaac and Bertha Charles. He graduated from Mc Caskey High School in Lancaster in 1949 and Franklin & Marshall College in 1953, with an A.B. in history. He served in the US Army from 1954-1956 as a Specialist, Third Class. Mr. Charles began his working career at the American Red Cross and later worked for Hamilton Watch Company in marketing and public relations. In 1974 Dick returned to his alma mater, Franklin & Marshall College as Director of Development. Concurrent with his responsibilities at F & M, he was an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society, becoming the Chairman of the Board of the Pennsylvania Division of ACS in 1984. Dick worked at Wilkes College as Director of Development as it was changing to a broader institution. In 1988, Dick joined Lebanon Valley College as Vice President of Advancement. Living in Annville, PA, LVC’s home, he was deeply committed to rejuvenating the town, commensurate with the growth of the college. Dick was an elected Township Commissioner, having run for office four times, for a tenure of fourteen years. Dick thoroughly enjoyed The Breakfast Club with his buddies, Monday through Friday, for over 20 years, at Schwalms Restaurant in Cleona. That’s a lot of eggs! He was honored by LVC for his years of dedicated service, at the Founders Day Celebration in 2004. During his career, he hired, managed, and mentored a generation of fundraisers, many of whom, went on to lead programs at a wide variety of organizations. He helped organizations raise, in excess of fifty million dollars! Upon his retirement from Lebanon Valley College in 1997, Dick co-founded the Franklin Consulting Group, serving institutions and communities in Central Pennsylvania for twenty years. In 2014 Dick and his wife Pauline, moved to Cornwall Manor, surrounded by welcoming friends and a loving community. Even at Cornwall Manor, Dick could not resist the call of duty. In 2016, he won the election for Cornwall Borough Council, and loved serving until the day he died. Dick Charles loved the water! He taught swimming and boating for the Red Cross and to his children and grandchildren and was an avid sailor on the Chesapeake Bay. He enjoyed his custom made, forty-five-foot, ketch-rigged skipjack. Later he and Pauline had a summer cottage in the Methodist community of Bay View, near Petoskey Michigan for twenty years. Richard Franklin Charles is survived by his loving wife, Pauline, daughters Julia of Puttaparthi, Andrha Pradesh, India and Melanie of Salem, MA and son Eric of Los Angeles, CA. In addition to his children, Mr. Charles is survived by two step children, James B. Master Jr. and his wife Valerie Master of Bradenton, FL. And Polly Good of Ephrata, PA, five step-grandchildren, Jay Lagorio and wife Cassie Lagorio of Laurel, MD, Stuart Jeffcoat of Lancaster, PA, Molly Master of Salem, MA, Hugh Good of San Diego, CA, Daisy Good of Ephrata, PA, and great-granddaughter Charlotte Lagorio of Laurel MD, nephew, Robert W. Charles Jr. and his wife, Susan of Camp Hill, PA. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the Levi Zerr Chapel at Cornwall Manor. Inurnment will be held in Riverview Burial Park, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may made to: Cornwall Manor Benevolent Fund, Cornwall Manor P.O. Box 125, Cornwall, PA 17016

Richard Franklin Charles

November 20, 1931 - August 6, 2018