Charles Claar

Charles N. Claar, III, P.E., CFM, IFMA Fellow, of Fayetteville, PA, died at 9:00 AM Friday, September 30, 2011 in Chambersburg Hospital. Born October 4, 1937 in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Charles N., II and Ruth Basehore Claar. Charlie was a graduate of Central High School in Philadelphia and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 1959. He later received a Master’s Degree in Architectural Engineering from the same university. Charlie served with the US Army Reserves and was first employed by Bell Telephone. He then worked at the main campus of Penn State University for twenty-six years and during that time served as the Director of Institutional Engineering Advisory Services. He was a mentor to students studying architecture, engineering and facility management until retiring in December of 1994. Following his retirement from Penn State University, he moved to Houston, TX and joined the staff of the International Facility Management Association as Director of Research. In 2000, he began serving as IFMA's Vice President of Professional Development, a role in which he helped grow the Certified Facility Manager credential globally and establish it as the premier designation for facility professionals. He joined the IFMA Foundation board of trustees in 2004 and over the next four years served as secretary/treasurer and vice chair. Charlie had a lifelong passion for education and mentorship, and most recently, he served the IFMA Foundation as Director of Academic Affairs. A Professional Engineer in the state of Pennsylvania, he was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He was a volunteer at the John L. and Cora I. Grove Cancer Center in Chambersburg, and was active with the Franklin County 4-H program.

Charlie was an active member of Solomon’s Evangelical Lutheran Church near Chambersburg where he sang with the choir and served on the church council. Being a Pennsylvania State University alumnus, he was a fanatical Penn State sports fan, and was at one point awarded a coveted "Nittany Lion" statue from the athletic department for his volunteer efforts. He was a model railroad enthusiast and a WWII history buff.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy White Vanderbush Claar, whom he married November 30, 1985; a son, Charles N. Claar, IV and wife Lori of Potomac Falls, VA; a daughter, Christine Castles and husband Neal of State College, PA; three grandchildren, Jake Castles, Kendall and Morgan Claar; and two step-children, Kristen Vanderbush and partner Amy Rosenbery of Arlington, VA and Jeff Vanderbush of Ridgefield, CT.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Solomon’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4856 Wayne Road, Chambersburg, PA. The Rev. Bill Nienstedt and Pastor Ron Miller will officiate. Friends will be received immediately following the service. Private interment will be in Shoop’s Cemetery, Harrisburg, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John L. and Cora I. Grove Cancer Center, 755 Norland Avenue, Suite 100 Chambersburg, PA 17201 or to IFMA Foundation Accredited Degree Program Fund, 1 East Greenway Plaza, Ste 1100, Houston, TX, 77046