Charles Grodahl

Charles Austin Grodahl, 83, devoted husband of Dorothy Elizabeth “Betty” Grodahl for 37 years, died on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Aiken Regional Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He is survived by three daughters, Karen Gail (Dr. Thomas) Irons of Corinth, Texas, Sharen Lee (James Allen) Peckham of Greenville, Indiana, and Janette Elizabeth Godwin of Aiken, South Carolina. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 20 years, Delores Rosalie Chouest of La Rose, Louisiana. A native of Devils Lake, ND, Mr. Grodahl was the son of the late Walter Oliver, Sr. and Hattie Bethea Erickson Grodahl. He was also predeceased by his older brother, Walter Oliver Grodahl, Jr. Chuck graduated from Alexandria high school in 1946 at Alexandria, MN. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering in 1951. He belonged to Phi Gamma Delta Social Fraternity. Before beginning his career with DuPont, upon graduation, he went to work for North American Aviation, Inc. at Los Angeles, CA. for two years as a Design Engineer of Fuselages. Chuck was a veteran of the United States Navy having served three years stateside as a resident officer in charge of construction at three different bases building runways. Mr. Grodahl joined the E.I. du Pont Company as an Area Engineer with the Construction Division in July of 1957. He retired December 31, 1990 with 33 years of service as a Construction Manager with responsibilities for Chattanooga and Nashville, TN. Chuck worked at the Savannah River Construction site from 1983 to 1988 under the Atomic Energy Division of the Engineering Department as an Assistant Construction Manager under Bud Hartnett and Bob Wootten. After retirement Chuck and Betty moved back to Aiken to enjoy their retirement. Mr. Grodahl was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, serving on the Building Committee for the Family Life Center. He later served for several years on the Board of Trustee’s for St. John’s. He served 5 years on the PAO Board at Woodside Plantation. Resurfacing of some of the roadways was his major responsibility. He was an active member of the Aiken County Republican Club until his health failed. Chuck was such an avid golfer that he belonged to the Senior Men’s Golf group at Woodside as well as the CSRA and Aiken Senior Men’s Golf Association. Mr. Grodahl was very supportive of his extended family. He was proud of his daughters, their spouses, and grandchildren for receiving college degrees and having successful professional careers. He and his grandcat, Tigger Roth, had a very special friendship and love for one another. Survivors include his sister, Charlotte Ann Langguth of Minnetonka, MN. and Doris Mae (Richard) Grahn of Valley Center, CA., and numerous nieces and nephews. Grandchildren are: Lauren Jean Peckham, Kirsten Gail Peckham, and James Austin Peckham of Greenville, IN. and Morgan Lee Peckham of Jeffersonville, IN. Chelsey Leigh (Damon Keith) Tillmon, Brittney Gail Cole, Charlotte Alexis Irons, and Thomas Ashley- Blake Irons of Denton, TX. Great-Grand sons are Elijah Jhace Williams and Ryan Keith and Devin Charles Tillmon of Denton, TX. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. N.W., Aiken, SC. The Reverends Dr. George K. Howle and Dr. Rodney K. Powell will officiate. A reception will follow the Memorial Service in the Narthex of the church. Inurnment will be private and take place prior to the Memorial service in the church’s columbarium. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be directed to St. John’s UMC, P.O. Box 809, Aiken, SC, 29802 or to the First Tee of Aiken, 901 Houndslake Drive, Aiken, SC, 29803. (firstteeaiken.org.) Please visit the online guestbook at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Grodahl, please visit our flower store.