Charles Dennie Kidder

Charles Dennie Kidder, 88, of Washington, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Townview Health and Rehabilitation, Canonsburg. He was born February 23, 1937, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Charles and Odessa Laughlin Kidder. Dennie was an intelligent and gifted child. There are stories of rewiring homes in Florida and running telephone lines to his buddies when he was quite young in North Carolina. At the age of 16, he opened Kidder Radio and TV in Canonsburg. He graduated from Chartiers High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Dennie worked as an engineer for Westinghouse, Sanders and Modcomp Corporation. He also had several companies he started. As an entrepreneur, he was able to become a rival of Modcomp, which resulted in the ability to retire in his early 50's. He loved electronics, antique radios, and his country home in Washington. His taste in music was eclectic but he particularly loved classical and his taste in furniture leaned to mid-century modern, teak and Eames. Dennie was polite almost to a fault. He was non-biased but did not suffer fools lightly. In contrast to his short stature, hopping mad could be his personal signature along with his big booming voice. He was also a big proponent of education. One of his best character traits was his wicked dry sense of humor. His nieces and nephews remember the fangs he cut out of cardboard then scared the bejesus out of them one morning. When he told a joke he was always laughing so hard with tears in his eyes, he could barely get to the punch line. He loved his wine and will be missed. On September 6, 1969, he married his lifelong love, Nancy Arnold. Together they had one son, Dwight Kidder (Dana) of Washington and their daughter, Catie Elizabeth. Also surviving are his youngest sister, Sheila Kidder of New Bern, NC, his ever-faithful cousin Vance Kidder, other cousins, nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved sister, Helen Diane Ambrose Freeman. The family would like to thank all the staff at Townview for the exceptional care and compassion they showed during his stay. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the time of service, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, Owner/Supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. Interment will be private.