Charles Willis Brodhead

Brodhead, Charles Willis

Ithaca: Charles Willis Brodhead, 82, of Ithaca, NY, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2011. He was born to the late Willis and Dorothy Brodhead and raised in St. Louis, MO. His wife, Phyllis, predeceased him in August 2007. Chuck led a life of service to his family, his business associates and his community. Chuck graduated from the University of Michigan in 1951 with a degree in Economics, and a minor in Radio and Television. After graduating from college he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and assigned to Quantico, VA for officer training. On a blind date, Chuck met his wife Phyllis; they were married in September 1952, a marriage that lasted 54 years. After being discharged from the Marine Corps, Chuck began a long career in communications and public relations. His first job was in Windsor, ON, responsible for programming for a new TV station. He worked in Windsor, and lived in Detroit where he began his family, having four children in the five years he lived there. In 1957 he moved on to Indianapolis, IN where he continued his involvement in TV helping to start up a new station. In 1964 Chuck and his family moved to Ithaca, NY, his home for more than 45 years, initially working for Roy Park, then moving on to Ithaca College in 1969 as Assistant to the President. In 1975 Chuck ventured out on his own establishing Communications Support Group, a company that served the needs and interests of educational institutions. Along with his partner, Howard Cogan, he created and launched a successful program known as VoPro designed to improve the image of Vocational Education and showcase the students within their community. Chuck became known as the "guru of marketing" for Vocational Education, lecturing extensively for the American Vocational Association. Chuck's commitment to his community was long and deep. While working at Ithaca College, Chuck was asked to identify a new purpose for an old dormitory building. In 1972, that building opened as Ithacare, a senior residential care facility. Chuck spent the next 38 years serving Ithacare, acting multiple times as President of the Board, and shepherding it through the strategic planning and development of what is now known as Longview on South Hill. He was one of two honorary lifetime members of the Board. In 2005, on a national level, he was awarded Trustee of the Year for Leadership by the Association of Homes & Services for the Aging. He was able to enjoy the fruits of his labor, spending his final days in a beautiful Longview apartment overlooking the lake. Over the years many Ithaca organizations have benefited from Chuck's leadership and calm, quiet counsel. He was a founding Board Member of Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), founding member of Ithaca Cayuga Rotary Club, serving as club President and auctioneer of fancy cakes at their annual chicken BBQ; Board member and President of Lifelong; President of Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties; Board member of New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA); serving on Session and various committees at the First Presbyterian Church; member of Tompkins County Public Information Advisory Board (PIAB), Visiting Nurse Services, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Ithaca College, Friends of Tompkins County Library, East Lawn Cemetery and a member of Family & Children's Services (F&CS). In May 2011, Chuck was awarded the F&CS's Agda Osborne Award for his longevity of service to the Ithaca community. Chuck is survived by his four loving children and their families: Charles, Jr. (Jan), Katherine and Laura of Houston, TX; Scott (Maria Cecilia), Paul and Anna of Mendham, NJ; Margery of New York City; and Polly Weidhas (Charles), Gregory and Cora of St. Louis, MO. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Allan and Connie Brodhead of Chesterfield, MO, and nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), www.ipei.org; Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, www.tchabitat.com; or the First Presbyterian Church, www.firstpresithaca.org. A service of remembrance and celebration will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 17th. An opportunity to visit with the family and friends will be Friday, September 16th, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Bangs Funeral Home on W. Green St. in Ithaca.