Obituary of Charles Alder

Charlie was born December 22, 1925, in Terre Haute, Indiana.  He was the second oldest of four children, Bill Alder, Helen Alder VonKannon, Doris Alder Tryon.  Helen survives.  He went to his heavenly reward on August 19, 2023, in Tucson Arizona, at age 97, joining his beloved wife, Charlotte, and their children, Donna and Glen.

At age 17, Charlie left Gershmeier High School in Terre Haute to volunteer for the US Navy, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  Assigned to the Asiatic Pacific Theater, he served as a gunner on LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) earning three Bronze Stars for action in the Phillipine Liberation, Okinawa, Iwo Jima.  He was honorably discharged on August 26, 1946.

Charlie met Charlotte Ella Britton and they were married on February 12, 1948. The Alders lived in Terre Haute until the family moved to Phoenix in 1964, and then to Tucson in 1967. where he worked until his retirement.

He and Charlotte had 3 children, Dianna (Gene Clark), Donna (Frank Mendola), and Glen Edward. Then came three grandchildren – Daniel (Krystle) Clark, Matthew (Chrissie) Clark, and Kimberly Mendola (Gustavo) Rodriguez; and seven great grandchildren: Cameron, Eduardo, Henry, Charlotte, Charlie, Izzi, and Zoe).

In 1950, Charlie began his career in drilling at Chicago Pneumatics, travelling the world to oversee mine operations, often experiencing history in the making.  He survived the disastrous 1984 earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska, as well as an several military coups in remote areas of South America. In addition to being adventurous, he helped in the development of Top Head Drive Drills, which transformed the drilling industry by doubling productivity.  In 1984, he formed CNC Drilling, which he managed with his son Glen.

Charlie loved travel, yard work, and the outdoors – and anything that involved a lake – camping, fishing, boating, and of course eating the “catch of the day.”  He took great pleasure in serving with the Sabbar Shriner Temple in Tucson by performing in various parades in Southern Arizona, driving his mini-Corvette.  Charlie was never far from a stash of hard candy, and would always choose Mexican food, Italian food, or Jerry Bob’s when going out to eat.

Please remember Charlie’s gentle, good, and generous nature, his “get ‘er done” attitude toward any task, his succinct comeback comments, and his incredible love for God, his wife, children, great grandchildren, and you – his friends.  “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant … enter thou into the Joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children at this website:   shrinerschildrens.org