Charles H. Reach

1930 - 2023

Charles H. Reach
Charles Harrison Reach, 93, of West Grove, Pennsylvania, formerly of Ridgefield, Connecticut and summertime resident of Huletts Landing on Lake George, New York, passed away on May 23, 2023 at Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Born in 1930 and raised in Summit, New Jersey, his parents were Charles Dallas and Emily Baldwin Reach.
Charlie graduated from Phillips Andover Academy and Hamilton College (Class of 1952), where he excelled at ice hockey, lacrosse, and all card games. After college, Charlie served in the Navy, reaching the final rank of Lieutenant. He married the love of his life, Joan Brown, in 1953 and they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in July 2021 before Joan's passing in June of 2022.
Charlie started his career with Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Morristown and Newark, New Jersey. He made a career change in 1968 to work in management consulting with a focus on training and development, becoming Vice President and Director of Programming for Educational Systems and Design, Inc. of Westport, Connecticut. He received a Master's Degree in Education from Western Connecticut State University, and he pioneered Assertiveness Training for Managers in the United States and United Kingdom. He managed his own international training company, Charles H. Reach Associates of Westport, Connecticut, until he retired in 1999.
A lifelong (and often suffering) New York Rangers and avid New York Giants fan, Charlie also loved boating and water skiing on Lake George. He was a gifted and patient instructor, teaching his children and a few grandchildren how to drive, water ski, play bridge, skate and play hockey - imparting important life lessons and trustworthy guidance every step of the way. He had a very quick and dry wit, right up through his final days, providing his family with legendary tales and original quips that will be shared with future generations. He and Joan will be forever remembered as an epic love story and outstanding parental role models by his three sons and daughter.
Charlie was predeceased by his sister, Corrina McKenney; and is survived by his three sons and their spouses: Charles H. Reach III and Diane Nicas Reach of Westport, Connecticut, Robert F. Reach and Anna Duke Reach of Gambier, Ohio, James B. Reach and Carol L. Reed of Shorewood, Wisconsin; and by his daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Reach Baker and Charles L. Baker of Burlington Vermont; as well as ten adoring grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Charlie and Joan will be buried in a private ceremony in Huletts Landing, New York; in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake George Association.