Charlie was born in Akron, Ohio on March 26, 1952, to Dr. Charles Sundy Schollenberger and wife, Roseanne Kennon Schollenberger. He grew up in Hudson, OH with his younger brother, David at his side. They enjoyed swimming, traveling on family road trips to national parks and running track. Charlie graduated with Distinction from Hudson High School in 1970. He was a member of the National Honor Society, a Summit County Citizenship Youth Award Winner and received a scholarship from the Western Reserve Education Fund.
Charlie attended The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts on June 17, 1972. Charlie always enjoyed the newspaper—having his own paper route even; so it was no surprise to friends and family when he graduated a few years later from the prestigious and well-known Journalism School at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO with a Master of Arts on December 20, 1979. At Mizzou, he was a member of Sigma Delta Chi—the Society of Professional Journalists and received an honorary scholarship from Robert M. Jackson.
After leaving Columbia, Charlie began a professional career in advertising, business news writing and public relations in Kansas City. He began working as a business writer for the Kansas City Times. His favorite and most productive professional years were spent at Christenson, Barclay & Shaw, Inc., a public relations firm specializing in agribusiness and animal health. The MU School of Journalism recognized Charlie on May 2, 1979, for professional achievement. He was listed as a finalist for “Best of National Agri-Marketing Association” in 1986.
In 1990, he married the love of his life, Jennifer Jones, who was a professional retail salesperson at Halls on the Plaza. He enjoyed the Democrat National Party. He was an avid collector of Space Exploration memorabilia. He had a deep love for American and European history. Charlie was especially fond of WWII history, with emphasis on the European theater. He loved his vintage Lincoln Continental. The same year Charlie was married to his bride, who was from Weston, MO, he was introduced for likely the first time in his life to other interesting subjects like ornithology (duck hunting), ichthyology (bass fishing) and Texas History (more comprehensive than JFK’s visit to Fort Worth), from his somewhat primitive and non-refined Stepsons, Ladd and Christopher Pepper of Blanco, Texas.
In 2009 and 2010, Charlie undertook the greatest challenge and according to him, the most fun thing he’d ever conceived—-a run for the U.S. Senate seat in state of Kansas. He ran as a Democrat. He enjoyed the campaign. He treasured the times he was able to lecture at various colleges and law schools in Kansas. His favorite speech was at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. His campaign was focused on jobs, healthcare and progress for his fellow Kansans. In an Opinion article from the Kansas City Star written on Sunday, July 18, 2010, Charlie was identified as “the best choice” in a field of democrats seeking the office. Though Charlie’s campaign didn’t lead to Washington, he was proud of his effort; and he enjoyed the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong professional dream.
After the Senate campaign, Charlie remained active in his community, a neighborhood homeowners association and enjoyed maintaining old friendships in Hudson, OH. He traded clippings and jokes with his old law school buddy, Tom; and he was duly elected to the Office of Democratic Committeeman Prairie Village Ward 6 Precinct 01. He enjoyed frequent visits from his family—-especially his grandsons, Weston and Nolan Pepper, who live in Lake Travis, Texas and who Know Nothing of the Democratic National Party(Charlie loved political puns).
Charlie will be missed by his beloved wife, Jenny of 34 years. He was her rock. He dutifully made her doctor, dental and pharmacist appointments since the early stages of the Covid Pandemic.
Charlie survived by his brother, David Schollenberger, a loving father, husband and lawyer living in London with his wife Mel; Kim and Ladd Pepper, Blanco, Texas; Jamie and Chris Pepper of Lake Travis, Texas; and grandsons, Weston and Nolan Pepper of Lake Travis, Texas.
Godspeed Charlie.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.11.3