I'm sorry to learn of the passing of Chuck Shrader today, quite a few years late.  It's been nearly 40  years since he hired me to work at RTA and I value how much he trusted and empowered Dana Henderson, Charles Higueras and myself to grow and develop our skills and acumen as architects working on schools for the LA USD.  Chuck was very even tempered, had a wonderfully intuitive sense for directing the marketing effort of his firm, had an astute eye for quality details, good design and had an infectious, jovial nature connected with his joy for life and architecture.  He treated us to a wonderfully jubilant Beaux Arts ball party at City Hall.  He was a positive role model, enlightening me to continue practicing architecture for over 50 years, and still going.  May his memory be a blessing.  Andy Levine

Chuck advised me in 1981 that I had a decision to make - stay in the federal government and make it a career or leave soon - or else I'll be stigmatized by those working in "private".   I worked for Veterans Affairs for over 35 years designing and building better places for Veterans and  I am proud of the work I've done.   There were three turning points in my career and Chuck was one of the reasons I choose civil service.   I lost track of Chuck after Mission College and when I retired 12 years ago I searched and couldn't find him.  Last week I ran across Lee Pollard who worked with him at RTA and I conducted a new search for Chuck today.   It is with sadness to learn that he's passed but it is with joy that I FINALLY have a chance at closure - to say THANKS Chuck.  I've been blessed to have known and worked with you.  I'll  remember how you loved to smoke your pipe and that was part of your charm.  Our world is a better place because of you and because of you things turned out pretty good for Veterans and me too.   May You Rest in Peace.

The last time I saw Chuck was in 1988 when I left the Bay Area and moved to San Diego....but I have never forgotten him. We first met in 1983, I think, when Dick Marshall loaned me out to RTA for a couple of months to help on an apartment project in Salt Lake City. We enjoyed working together and I told Chuck if RTA was looking for someone permanent I would be very interested. He remembered, and a year later, he called me at my house at 8:00 PM and offered me a job to perform Construction Administration services for a project with the Daughters of Charity in Los Altos. I spent almost two years in the field on that project---my all-time favorite project, a beautiful building in a beautiful location. I especially enjoyed it when Chuck would visit the site once a month and we would have lunch and a drink at the dimly lit Mac's Tea Room in downtown Los Altos. (It's not there anymore.)

Chuck was a great boss and mentor, a good man who listened well and always seemed to make the right decision. He helped me immensely, and I'll always be grateful. 

I only learned of his passing today (1/10/18). I hope his family reads this. I wish them all well. If anyone would like to talk to me about Chuck, I can be reached at the Division of the State Architect, San Diego. 

Tom Burke

I met Charles (Chuck) in college and we have been good friends ever since.  He and another friend welcomed me when I moved to San Francisco and helped me get my feet on the ground.  Charles was a dedicated and talented architect.  No surprise to me he became president of his architectural firm and a leader in the local AIA chapter.  I ran a small manufacturing operation and Chuck designed a number of projects we built at the plant.  Chuck had an immaculate Triumph TR-4.  He was gracious enough to loan it to me when I was couring my wife.  I remember the Black and White Ball that was introduced in San Francisco while he was head of the AIA chapter.  I remember 10 or more surpurb New Years dinner he and Mary hosted at their home for a small group of friends. I remember when he told me he and Mary were going to Hawaii.  I said something like wow how did you arrange that.  He sent me to his travel agent and Marian and I began what became an annual trip to the islands.  Charles and I were married to our wives a week apart and that began many years of meeting in San Francisco for dinner to celebrate our joint wedding anniversaries.  I remember him designing and having installed the moveable roof over the atrium in his house and how proud he was and should have been over how well it worked.  I will remember Chuck as good friend, a gracious host, and being willing to help when he could.  May he rest in peace!

Tom Vanden Bosch

OBITUARY

Charles F. (Chuck) Schrader

22 April, 1936 – 10 July, 2015

Keaton’s Mortuary

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