Charles H. Genrich

1946 - 2023

Charles Genrich Obituary

Charles "Chuck" Genrich, a loving father, grandfather, and brother peacefully passed away on October 31, 2023 at the age of 77 years young. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, J. Harold and Marcia Merkel Genrich, and is survived by his four children, Gretchyn, Gabrielle, Gillian and Graham; four grandchildren, Vivienne and Madeleine, William and Alexis; his sisters and brothers, Meg Schaefer, John Genrich, Mark Genrich and Susan Foster.

Chuck was born in Buffalo, New York to loving parents, and grew up attending neighborhood public schools including Amherst High School ('64). He always referred to himself as "just a country boy from Buffalo." He attended Colgate University ('68) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. With his love of journalism, he enjoyed his role as Associate Editor of the school newspaper, the Maroon. Chuck received master's degrees in public administration and education from Harvard University's Schools of Government and Education ('74 and '75), and completed a certificate program at Oxford University (U.K.). He married the late Karen Frauenheim and they had four children together, of whom he was effusively proud. He took his son and daughters on scouting camping trips, picnics and fishing at Burke Lake Park, and loved Myrtle beach vacations. He loved theater, music and the performing arts and he often took his family to performances and sporting events in Washington, D.C. Of those, John Denver, Cats the musical, the Great American Workout at the White House, and the Harlem Globe Trotters were his favorites.

In his early political science career he held many positions in government such as a Legislative Assistant and congressional speech writer. He was a natural born teacher and enjoyed serving as an Adjunct Professor in public policy, marketing, and communications with American University, Nyack College, Strayer University, and George Mason University. He developed the 1st-in-the-Nation Service-Learning Internship Program for High School Students and dedicated that to his father, J. Harold Genrich, a prominent Western New York Architect. The program is now modeled in thousands of school districts around the country.

With his passion for strategic planning and the Washington DC area, Chuck founded Special Event Management Services, LLC in January 1995 and worked in the role of chief operating officer until his death. He excelled in establishing strong relationships with the event planning and transportation industries and thoroughly enjoyed the diverse people he met as he grew his business. He was particularly proud and humbled to provide the transportation for Pope Saint John Paul II, which involved 3,000 media and press and all the motorcade operations for 5 days in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. He was also honored to provide transportation for presidential inaugurations and galas, and Congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies to name a few. Special Event Management Services was the longstanding primary VIP transportation provider for the annual March for Life. Chuck honored Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines through event work with organizations like Wounded Warrior Program and Veterans Day weekend ceremonies.

As a caring father and grandfather, Chuck was always asking what he could do to help his children. He imparted in them the importance of higher education, hard work, and sacrifice. His own resiliency and strength were evidenced by the over 12 years he continued to run his business despite weekly dialysis for end stage renal disease. He was an active volunteer for the American Kidney Fund, as well as DC-area rescue missions (Gospel Rescue Ministries), and So Others Might Eat (SOME). Being a devout Christian, Chuck always centered his life with unwavering faith professed in the choir and bible study.

A celebration of his tremendous life will be held at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA on November 13, 2023 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the American Kidney Fund in his honor.

Published by Buffalo News from Nov. 7 to Nov. 8, 2023.

From son Graham Genrich:

March 14, 1946 – October 31, 2023 (77 years young): Dad passed away in his sleep, at his home in Fairfax, VA Tuesday. He had a lot of titles but never dwelled on those. Grandfather, Father, Uncle, brother, Chief Operating Officer, Professor, Former Special Assistant to the US Secretary of Education, Congressional HoR Speech Writer and more – he loved all of his roles and had a brilliant mind combined with a super giving heart all the way till the end. His life was a canvas of multifarious colors, painted by family and the many different people in his life (he totally would have loved any analogy in his honor ). 

He loved his kids unconditionally and loved life with tremendous vigor. He could breakdown any problem to it’s solvable parts, and roar with laughter with his fantastic sense of humor. He lived inspired, and inspired others. With great roots and values established by his parents, he truly carried those forward every day for over 7 decades. We all tremendously miss his voice, his warmhearted and welcoming smile, affinity to get to know people with ease, genuinely, and treat them with dignity and respect. He didn’t let a new generation down – he learned how to text, take selfies, FaceTime, and never failed at communicating to share life with family and others. Dad you are sorely missed. And yet the pictures here do personify what life is all about for you. Rest in sweet peace, “Poppa G”.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Immanuel Bible Church, 6911 Braddock Rd. Springfield, VA 22151 at 1000am on 13 November for those who can attend.

In lieu of flowers, as someone who faced 11 years of dialysis, and volunteered for the organization himself, Dad would have appreciated donations to the American Kidney Fund.

 

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