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Ray Charles Stockdale

October 20, 1933 - October 27, 2015

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Obituary For Ray Charles Stockdale

October 20, 1933 - October 27, 2015

Stockdale, R. Charles (Charlie)

Of South Park, PA, passed peacefully from this world on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, one week after his 82nd birthday. Born in Ashland, Ohio to Betty Hull Stockdale Bone and Ray Daniels Stockdale, Charlie was a gifted student and musician. Charlie graduated from Princeton University in 1955 with a degree in electrical engineering. At Princeton, he played trumpet in the marching band and sang with the Nassoons a cappella group. Charlie moved to Pittsburgh following graduation to work for US Steel. There he met and married Rita (nee Seibel), with whom he enjoyed 53 years and raised five children. Charlie was active with the South Hills YMCA while his children were young and continued to support the organization throughout his life, bringing his eight grandchildren to Deer Valley Family Camp each summer for more than 15 years. Charlie was keenly interested in the world, keeping up on current events via the nightly news, the local papers and the New York Times (which also contained his beloved crosswords and sudoku). In 1984, Charlie accepted a position with UEC which gave him the opportunity to live and work abroad from France to Indonesia to Turkey. He enjoyed learning about the many cultures he encountered. Upon his retirement, he and Rita volunteered with the World Affairs Council to help welcome international visitors to Pittsburgh. Charlie also donated many hours to helping other seniors file their taxes through the VITA program. Charlie is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Carolyn Stockdale and Joyce Hof. He is survived by his cherished wife, Rita, and children Andrew Elliott Stockdale (Betsy) of Austin, TX, James Mitchell Stockdale (Susan) of Lenoir City, TN, Molly Stockdale Ott (Christopher) of Missoula, MT, Carolyn Stockdale Wachtel (Jon) of New Orleans, LA, and Justin Charles Stockdale (Karyn) of Sewickley. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jonathan and Caroline Stockdale, Alex and Eric Ott, Ethan and Lily Wachtel, Keely and Willa Stockdale and many loving nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 31 from 2-5 p.m. and Sunday, November 1 from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, PA 15227. A graveside service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Chesterville, Ohio on Monday afternoon, November 2nd.

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  • December 11, 2019

    A real sense of loss by those of us who knew him well. Charlie was the only one with whom I attended school from the1st grade at Grant St.School all the way to college. So many memories...waking up on his living room sofa after being knocked out playing football across the street, in jail together briefly after Inspector Reigle caught us at Halloween pranks, Boy Scouts, high school drama productions where we shared the leads, on and on. I'll miss him a lot..

  • December 11, 2019

    Very sorry to hear of Charlie's death and the loss this means for his family and friends. He and I were both from Ashland County and were classmates at Princeton, where we both played trumpet in the band and both sang in the two leading close harmony singing groups on campus. I have very fond memories of Charlie, the last of which was at out 50th reunion in 2005. May he rest in peace and his family members find solace in their individual and collective memories of their time together.

  • December 11, 2019

    Mrs Stockdale and Family: I am sorry to hear of your loss. We pray that the Lord of all brings you comfort and strength and His Peace that pass all understanding. My God Almighty, Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.

  • December 11, 2019

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • December 11, 2019

    Rita and kids, So sad to read about Charlie's passing. We have fond memories of the time we spent together. Condolences to you all George and Claudette

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Rita and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you are as you go through this sad period. I remember all the time we spent with the S.P.Band, Rita, and listening to your stories from different countries you and Charlie travelled to for his job. Didn't know him well, but he was a hard worker and a good man. He will always be with you in your hearts. Love and Prayers, Bonnie Stoker

  • December 11, 2019

    On behalf of the staff and board of PRC let me offer my condolences to Rita and all the generations of the Stockdale family on the passing of Charlie. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time. Good health and be well to all going forward.. Bob

  • December 11, 2019

    My thoughts are with all of the Stockdale family. You have through your words and deeds made Charlie proud. Celebrate his life as I know he would want you to do.

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