March 17, 1938 – January 5th, 2024
On Friday evening, January 5th, 2024, our beloved Charles Lawrence Sedelmeyer set sail into the sky. His darling Barbara was at his side holding his hand, as she had for the 47 years of their marriage.
Charles, “Chuck” Sedelmeyer was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, to the late Lawrence and Alice Lee Sedelmeyer, on March 17th, 1938. He grew up in North East, PA, with his loving parents, and his sisters Anne, Mary and Laurie.
Chuck graduated from the University of Notre Dame where his lifelong commitment to the school and their football team began. “Go, Irish!” After graduation, he spent a summer with his friends having a great time. That fall, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served seven years in the reserves. After returning to the Erie area. Chuck went to work for Erie Technology Products. Almost immediately the company sent him to Los Angeles, California, then Phoenix, Arizona, and finally to the San Francisco Bay Area where he would spend most of his life.
When Chuck wasn’t having fun and making those around him laugh, he was an avid learner. He decided to enroll at Golden State University, where he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration all while working full time. During this time, he agreed to a blind date with a vivacious, beautiful, born and bred California girl, Barbara Strassberger. And he was late for their date! Fortunately, Barbara did not hold that against him, and this date turned into a lifelong love affair with Barbara, who loved Chuck for his wisdom, sense of humor, and general love of all things fun. Chuck had a passion for so many things, including parties, sailing, traveling and laughter. An infamous St. Patrick’s Day (his birthday) story that included Chuck carrying a Dutch girl in full Dutch regalia (right down to the wooden clogs) on his shoulders sums up his joi de vivre. Barbara saw that Chuck was the fun troublemaker she was looking for and the two never looked back as they lived a life of adventure together.
They married in July 1976 and settled in Palo Alto, CA. He earned his real estate license and put his MBA to use. He joined the financial and property sector and became an integral member of Stanford Financial Realty Company and managed to grow his own property portfolio.
After a decades-long career, Chuck and Barbara decided to retire. They had purchased a home in Carmel many years before and chose to retire to that quiet, lovely town. They would come to say it was one of the best decisions of their life together. Even though Chuck and Barbara were considered “fairly new” residents (only one decade), many Carmelites were sure to recognize them as they took morning walks; Chuck in his cap, their dogs Pebble and Charlie in their finery’, and Chuck and Barbara with their daily coffee in hand. These walks brought so much joy for Chuck. The morning walk was the first of many walks every day, as he was determined to get his 10,000+ steps, come rain or shine. His walks kept him mentally and physically fit and allowed him to get to know his fellow townsfolk. He was also a part of the Carmel Foundation family and loved going to their exercise classes.
Chuck was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Alice (Jim Daily) and Laurie Lee (Mark Hasenohrl). He leaves behind his beloved wife, Barbara; his sister, Anne; his nieces, Mary, Maggie, Siobhan and Katie; his nephews, Desmond, John, Tim and Brian; and many great nieces and nephews, and countless friends both old and new.
Those who knew Chuck grieve his passing, but smile considering the long, joyous life he lived. We smile because we shared the journey with him.
Sail on in peace, Chuck. We love you always.