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CHARLES THANHAUSER
CHARLES THANHAUSER
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CHARLES THANHAUSER Obituary
63, died at home, with his family, on June 22, 2015. The son of Joseph Thanhauser, Jr. and Marion Wolfson, Charles grew up in Philadelphia. Charles earned a B.Arch (1974) from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.Arch. (1977) from Harvard University. Charles moved to New York City where he founded TEK Architects in 1987. Specializing in non-profit and educational projects, TEK Architects won various awards and was featured in the Museum of Modern Art. A voracious reader with a sharp wit, and a deeply loving father and friend, he will be greatly missed. He is survived by his three sons: Bart, Will, and Graham. A memorial service will be held for Charles later this summer.
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Karen Parnicky
April 22, 2024
I always thought that I would see you again.
My heart is breaking.
David Seltzer
November 8, 2015
I belatedly learned of Charles' passing when I saw the obituary notice in the November Penn Gazette. A close childhood friend of "Chas," (as he preferred to be known back in the day), I spent many weekends together with him from early childhood through high school years at Boyer Street, Addison Court and Loveladies. The Thanhauser and Seltzer families along with the Pomerantz's and Greenhouse's would gather together most holidays secular and religious. After college, our paths drifted apart, but the Guest Book comments about him from more recent years square exactly with my recollection: An incredibly talented guy with high energy and an acerbic wit. Among many vivid memories of our youth together: The phenomenal grade school Halloween costume he made of the Jack of Diamonds with his face peering out through a cut-out in a full-size magnificently drawn cardboard sign (an amazing likeness); his playing along on his drum pad to Cream's newly released "White Room" in 1968; and, for unfathomable reasons, our eagerly crabbing together in the fetid waters of Laguna inlet behind his parents' shore house at LBI. I regret we didn't have an opportunity to renew our friendship in more recent years, as Charles was The Original Article.
Elizabeth Kennedy
July 17, 2015
Truly one of the good guys, gone way too soon. Charles - will always think of you when I hear a jazz drum solo. My sincere condolences to his family and staff.
Charles (center, and Dana on left) and me on my new Yamaha 650 circa 1981 on W.4th St. A few days later he gave me his old waxed cotton MC jacket...
Frank Nicoletti
July 13, 2015
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Frank & Roseann Nicoletti
July 13, 2015
My friendship with Charles dates back over thirty-five years to our first meeting as young architects at Skidmore Owings & Merrill. After that, while we both pursued our careers separately at many other firms, we never failed to get together for a drink or dinner, and visiting whenever he found another one of his great Manhattan apartments. We basically grew up together, professionally & personally, from the age of 27, through all the iterations of both his business ventures and mine, including my renting a desk from him at 95 Fifth Avenue in 1989. We enjoyed matching wits (where Charles usually won) and sharing each other's tales of trials & tribulations over the decades. Through our friendship, Charles also knew my wife Roseann for just as many years and we most often met together, with him typically quipping why'd you bring Frank? Always the lovable wise-guy. We watched Bart and Will mature into the fine young men that he nurtured so dearly, and always looked forward to hearing of their adventurous trips to exotic lands. And now, a wide and deep void, impossible to fill, even in one's wildest attempt to find a substitution. No way. One of a kind. We'll miss you immensely Charles. We'll see you later. Love, Frank & Roseann.
July 6, 2015
July 5, 2015
So sad to hear of Charles's passing. He was important to me through college and many years after. Charles was so smart, so energetic, so entertaining. I can't remember Charles ever at a loss for an opinion. His comments could sometimes be caustic but were usually provocative in the best sense.I send my sympathy, condolences and love to his boys.
Paul Schmitz Maplewood, NJ
Yvette Richardson
July 2, 2015
I was so shocked to hear about Charles' passing. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. Charles was a great Architect and Humanitarian, and always brutally honest. I had the opportunity to work with TEK as he allowed my new engineering firm some opportunities to grow. Charles will be missed.
John Szalkay
July 1, 2015
Once again, my condolences to Charles' family, friends and TEK's employees. He leaves a void!
John Szalkay
July 1, 2015
Charles - we knew each other for a long time. I will miss you dearly . . .
Clare Stevens
June 29, 2015
I was saddened to hear of Charles' passing. I worked with Charles at the Grad Partnership in the 1980s. He had a great sense of humor and a lust for life. I have fond memories of many conversations about music, travel and literature. I still have the cassette tape of "The Last Waltz" that he gave me. I left Grad in '87 and did not reconnect with Charles until 2005 and it was wonderful to spend time with him again. What impressed me most about Charles over the past ten years was not his skill and talent as an architect, but his love for and devotion to his sons. He was so proud of them and they gave him great joy. May you rest in peace my friend. My deepest condolences to his family.
Laura Evans Durant
June 28, 2015
What a sad day it was when I heard the news of Charles' passing. I'd known "Chas" since childhood, when we attended Germantown Friends School. As a teenager, he was predictably annoying, funny and smart. In high school we got to know each other better in Mary Lou Scull's art classes. I really became closer to Charles in the past few decades when I would visit NYC for art exhibitions. He would always show up at the openings in support, regaling our group with stories, sharing past memories, enjoying the give and take. I was so impressed with how he had mellowed with age. He often told me " Mary Lou would be proud". Charles had a generous spirit, and was a loyal friend and such a very proud father. My condolences to his family, especially his sons. You will be missed, Charles.
Adam Nowicki PE
June 26, 2015
so sorry to hear about Charles
great friend and a companion of many dinners and lunches discussing books , movies , his Sons , travels , music
I will miss him a lot
my deepest condolences to his Family
Adam Nowicki
Jonathan Markley (TEK Architects)
June 25, 2015
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to:
Housing and Services Inc.
243 West 30th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10001
Charles was on the board of directors and cared deeply about supportive housing.
Thierry Paret
June 25, 2015
Charles was a long time friend and mentor. He had a great heart and was a close friend. He was a talented architect with great wit, a man of the world, a man of great character, a very special person. It was a privilege to have known him and will deeply miss his friendship. May he rest in peace.
John Cassese
June 25, 2015
I was saddened to learn that my neighbor and friend, Charles has passed away. We had a great friendship and I always enjoyed seeing him as we passed through the lobby of our building. But, for as friendly as we were, not compared to his love for my dog Stella. He would always stop to greet her, pet her and show her so much love and affection. I will miss seeing that. I hope that where ever Charles is, all of the dogs he has known his life are with him now. God Speed, my Friend.
suzanne eberhardt
June 24, 2015
My condolences to the family and friends of Charles. I spent a few years working out of the Tek Offices and Charles was a really kind man. so sad to hear this
Martin Marcus
June 24, 2015
Our condolences to the family. Charles will be missed. His design of the US Concepts office will be always remembered as well as working with him on the project
Jennifer and Marc Buronfosse
June 24, 2015
Charles will be greatly missed, we will miss him for his fantastic humor and intelligent wit, his art de vivre and sensitivity to life. Our children join us in sympathy. Our sincere condolences to his sons and family.
Andy Armstrong
June 24, 2015
So very sorry to hear the news of Charles' passing. I have many memories of our school days together -- sleep overs at each others' house in 7th grade where we'd draw our own versions of Charlie Brown and other comics, enjoy Mad magazine (not to mention my first exposure to Playboy magazine!), and share dreams of what we hoped/planned to be when we grew up. Chaz was even a drummer in my high school band for a brief time. What a great sense of humor he had... My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Sean Holmes
June 24, 2015
My condolences to the Thanhauser family in this time of grief. Charles sublet space to me at his TEK office in Union Square until they relocated. A man with a quirky sense of humor but well meaning and considerate behind it. R.I.P.
Chris Graziano
June 24, 2015
My sincere condolences to the Thanhauser family. Charles was one of a kind and will be missed.
John Boone
June 24, 2015
Very sorry to learn of Charles leaving the planet. He was a friend I always enjoyed being with. Charles was very smart and playful and I will miss him. My wife Jenny Dixon joins me in sympathy for his family.
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