[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO CHARLES ABBOTT

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                       HON. STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 1999

  Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, my district recently lost one of its 
most committed residents, Charles H. Abbott, Jr. I rise today to honor 
his memory and to acknowledge the legacy that he leaves behind for 
Rancho Palos Verdes.
  When I received the news about Charley's untimely passing, my 
immediate reaction was one of pure disbelief. Charley had been my 
friend for 15 years. As I entered the political arena, Charley became a 
trusted advisor; I sought out his judgment and wisdom because he knew, 
better than most, the problems and issues facing the community. 
Importantly, he had suggestions to improve all of our lives. His 
unexpected death hits close to home because he was one of the most 
active, vital people I knew. His death causes me to reflect on my own 
mortality.
  I attach a memorial that appeared in one of the local papers about 
Charley. it eloquently summarizes Charley's life and contributions. 
Charley's legacy lives on through the dedicated service to the public 
demonstrated by his family, his sons in particular. He touched the 
lives of many children in the community, through his years of athletic 
coaching, leaving a little piece of himself with each one of his 
athletes. Charley had an active charity agenda, and like his athletes, 
each charity on which he served is a better, stronger organization for 
his dedicated service. As a civil engineer, Charley certainly left his 
enduring presence on the city of Rancho Palos Verdes where he served in 
numerous professional capacities.
  I celebrate my friend Charley and will miss him. I offer my support 
and deepest sympathies to his family. To each and every one of my 
constituents, I challenge them to follow Charley's practice of caring 
enough about the community to get involved.

                          Remembering Charley

                       By Mary Jane Schoenheider

       I, like many of you, have lost a good friend. Charles 
     Abbott, known to all of us as Charley, was called to his 
     Maker on Monday evening, April 26 while he was working out on 
     his treadmill before retiring for the night. He had spent a 
     good part of that day doing what he most enjoyed; playing 
     golf. This day, like many before was for charity. This just 
     happened to be the Rolling Hills Covenant Church Golf 
     Tournament, but it could have been one of many he 
     participated in throughout the years.
       Charley loved his work as a civil engineer, he loved his 
     family, he loved his community and he loved life. He gave 
     back over and over again to countless causes with both his 
     time and talents. Everyone always knew you could count on 
     Charlie, be it as a coach for his two sons' baseball and 
     soccer teams in their early years on the Peninsula, or for 
     the past two years participating in his Rotary Club's service 
     project as a volunteer tutor for the kids in Harbor Hills 4H 
     after school program. His energy and involvement seemed to be 
     endless.
       My closest association with Charley and his wife Sue came 
     in the past three years as we shared the experience as host 
     parents for Rotary Exchange students.
       With both of their boys away at college, Charley and Sue 
     became Dad and Mom to three young women, Malina from Denmark, 
     and Malen and Linda both from Sweden. All three of theses 
     girls touched Charley's heart and became his ``adopted'' 
     daughters for life.
       The Thursday evening prior to his passing, Charley presided 
     as President at the Community Association of the Peninsula 
     (CAP) Annual Meeting. Many of us were there listening to the 
     light West Virginia drawl, and wit that was uniquely 
     Charley's.
       It is never fair when someone like Charley is taken in the 
     prime of his life at 58. He and Sue were looking forward to a 
     trip to Denmark and Sweden, his son Charlie's wedding this 
     summer and to retirement in a couple of years to the home 
     they recently built at La Quinta. We who are left to carry on 
     will do so in memory of a man who gave so much of himself to 
     his community, and loved doing it. You're a Good Man, Charley 
     Abbott.
       Funeral services were held at Peninsula Baptist Church on 
     April 30 with interment at Green Hills Memorial Park. Charley 
     is survived by his wife Susan, a teacher at Peninsula High 
     School, his two sons, Charlie and Mark, his father Charles 
     Abbott Sr. and two brothers. Donations in memory of Charley 
     may be made to Harbor Hills 4H Community Center c/o Palos 
     Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club, P.O. Box 296, Palos Verdes 
     Estates, CA 90274 or to Hospice Foundation, 2601 Airport 
     Drive, Suite 110B, Torrance, CA 90505.

     

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