Charles E. Schroeder

Charles E. Schroeder (“Chuck”) was born in Chicago, IL to Lorraine Anderson Schroeder and William Edward Schroeder on November 17, 1935, the second of six children, five boys and a girl. Evanston was home to Chuck for 65 years. He attended Evanston Township High School, where he met his wife of 64 years, Martha Elizabeth Runnette (“Beth”).

Chuck’s lifelong love of music began with childhood piano lessons and led to playing the drums in a high school jazz band at parties and Friday night dances at the local YMCA. Enrolling at Dartmouth College in the fall of 1953, he attended freshman week and met four other musicians who, upon returning to campus, found a bass player and a banjo player, forming a Dixieland jazz band. The band dubbed themselves “The Dartmouth Indian Chiefs” and stayed together for five years. They played on campuses around the ivy league and, ultimately, at Carnegie Hall, on the Steve Allen Show, at The Savoy in Boston, at the Boston Pops, at Jimmy Ryan’s in New York, with Wilbur de Paris in New Orleans, at The Elbow Beach Club in Bermuda during college week and recorded an album that sold out immediately.

After graduating in 1957 from Dartmouth College and in 1958 from Tuck, he joined the Navy as an Ensign to perform his obligation for two years of service. He was billeted in Key West, FL as the third officer on a coastal minesweeper (MSC). On leave at Christmas of 1958, he married Beth Runnette. Upon completing his Naval duty, he and Beth returned to Chicago, where he joined Miami Corporation as an investment analyst. He ultimately spent his entire career at Miami and served as president and CEO. Chuck’s financial acumen led to serving on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Board as Investment Chair. Subsequently, he was asked to join the Northwestern University Board of Trustees, again as Chair of Investments, and one of two members who served on both boards. He also served on the 4th Presbyterian Board, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and several other boards in a similar capacity.

He loved racquet sports, playing squash, tennis and finally the new game of paddle tennis. Beyond the sport itself, it was the team camaraderie that brought him out to play, enjoying the competition and humor that surely echoed the competition he had learned growing up as one of five boys.

Family was the core of Chuck’s life. He outlined it beautifully, in his letter to Beth’s mother requesting her hand in marriage, stating “I want to plan and live for my family.” Beth and Chuck have three children, Charles E. Schroeder, Jr. (“Chip”), Timothy C. Schroeder (“Tim”) and Elizabeth S. Hough (“Betsy”). He did live for his family and cultivated a wonderful family unit with seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, with more to come.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Elizabeth R. Schroeder, his three children, Charles E. Schroeder, Jr., Timothy C. Schroeder and Elizabeth S. Hough, his grandchildren, Matthew T. Schroeder, Paul K. Schroeder, Margaret E. Schroeder, Avery B. Schroeder, Eleanor L. Schroeder, Vivien A. Hough and William M. Hough, and his great grandchildren, Calyer K. Schroeder, Sarah G. Schroeder and Bill R. Schroeder.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 28, 4:00 p.m. at Northwestern University – Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, Galvin Hall, 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208.

Memorial gifts may be made to Undergraduate Merit Aid Scholarships at the Bienen School of Music. Online: music.northwestern.edu/donate or by mail: 1201 Davis Street, Attn: Sarah Generes, Evanston, IL 60201.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WmScottFuneralHome.com for the Schroeder family.