Charles Kramer Stoeppler

Charles Kramer Stoeppler died on December 18, 2010 of heart disease, just short of his 97th birthday.

He was often described as a "true gentleman". He was gentle, kind and gracious. He was a man of principal, acerbic wit and a longing for harmony among all peoples in this world. The Aiken community which he called his home for the last 30 years will miss this good friend to so many.

Charles was born in NYC on January 30, 1914. He attended public high school where he excelled in academics and favored riflery as his sport. He summered at his family farm in Forest Glenn New York. At 16 he enrolled at Bucknell University followed by law school at Fordham University in NYC. He followed his father's career as a banker first with the New York Trust Company and then to everyone's surprise with the Bank of Boston in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He remained in Argentina for 28 years and then moved on to banking in Brazil and the Dominican Republic. He retired to Edgefield SC as a gentleman farmer raising Black Angus cattle and stocking his pond with Largemouth bass. When his beloved wife Virginia of 42 years died in 1980 Charles moved to Aiken to be close to his beloved son Peter, who subsequently died of kidney failure in 1996, and his brother and sister in law Richard and Drusilla Selkirk.

Fishing, hunting and sailing were his life long passions. Since coming to Aiken he joined the enthusiastic tournament bridge crowd and took up painting under the tutelage of Al Byers at the University of South Carolina.

He is survived by his long time companion Magdalene Daly of Aiken, his daughter Susan Saudek of Baltimore, his son Rick of Guatemala City, Guatemala, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at George Funeral Home & Cremation Center Chapel in Aiken, January 29th at 11am. A reception will follow.