Charles Harbison Wilder

Published 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Astoria

Sept. 29, 1939 — Sept. 17, 2015

Charles Harbison Wilder was born on Sept. 29, 1939, to Stanley V. and Ann Louise Wilder in Youngstown, Ohio. He was raised in Niles, Ohio.

A celebration of life will be held at his favorite local musical venue, the Bridgewater Bistro, at 20 Basin St., Astoria, Oregon, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Charlie’s other passion, it is suggested that contributions may be made to Clatsop Community Action, 364 Ninth St., Astoria, OR 97103.

Charles passed away at his home in Astoria, Oregon, on Sept. 17, 2015.

“Chuck” to many people, and “Charlie” to many more people, was exceptionally intelligent, becoming a doctor of social welfare with a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. For a number of years he served as a full professor at Montana State University of Bozeman, Montana. But his real passions were not in teaching. He was a tireless community organizer who dedicated his life to helping the poor and powerless achieve some measure of human dignity.

Charles was a superb jazz pianist all his adult life, performing all over the Northwest until the last year of his life.

With such diverse knowledge, talents, skills and efforts, Charlie touched thousands of lives in ways that simply made the world a far better place. In return, he was loved and will be greatly missed by countless people.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Jill; daughters, Cara Beth Wilder of Bozeman, Montana, and Emily Francis Wilder (Frank) of Beaver Creek, Oregon; and four grandchildren, Anïs, Charlie, Simon, and Silas. Charlie is also survived by a brother, John S. Wilder of Monte Vista, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Adelaide Wilder.

Please go to www.hughes-ransom.com to sign Charles’ online guest book.