Charles E. Tidd's Obituary
Charles E. Tidd, Jr. age 84, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away on January 26, 2011 at home after a period of declining health. He was born in Butler, PA, the son of the late Charles E., Sr. and Helen (Heckler) Tidd. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Marian S. Tidd.
After graduating from Butler High School, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 69th Infantry Division with as a radio operator during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal after serving in the European theater. He continued his involvement with the U.S. Army in various reserve units in Ohio, Maryland, Belgium, and Delaware. He obtained the rank of Colonel and retired as the Chief of Staff of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command in Riverdale, MD in 1981.
At the conclusion of WWII, Mr. Tidd completed coursework at Lehigh University and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1952. He worked for W.R. Grace and Davison Chemical before relocating to Baltimore in 1965, where he enjoyed a 30 year career as a Professional Engineer and manager with the Western Electric Company. One of the highlights of his career was the opportunity to live in Calais, France for a year to produce Trans-Atlantic ocean cable. He and his family traveled extensively throughout Europe during this year. He continued to travel around the world as an officer with the American Society of Testing and Materials and was a member of numerous professional organizations.
Upon his retirement from Western Electric, he and his family moved to Rehoboth Beach, where he worked with Rehoboth Realty and Coldwell Banker and developed his own contracting business with his son. He served as a council member in several condominium associations over the course of his years in Rehoboth and Dewey Beach.
He is survived two daughters, Patricia Ketcham and her husband Bruce of Rochester Hills, MI and Jacquelyn McLaughlin and husband Robert of Manchester, NH, one son: Jeffrey C. Tidd of Rehoboth Beach, DE, five grandchildren: Peter Ketcham of Buffalo Grove, IL, Suzanne Hatcher and her husband Heathcliff of San Diego, CA, Laura Ketcham of Boca Raton, FL, Katelyn McLaughlin and Gregory McLaughlin of Manchester, NH and one great-grandchild: Ian Hatcher of San Diego, CA.
A Gathering of Friends will be held on Friday, February 4, 2011 from 3-5 pm at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Entombment will take place will full military honors at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emergency Room Department of Beebe Medical Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, the Sussex County EMS 22215 DuPont Blvd, Georgetown, DE 19947 or the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Dept. PO Box 327, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
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