Charles J. Marr, Edinboro Hon., 69, died May 15, 2015 in Florida, where he and his wife, Debbie, had been spending winters in recent years. Charlie was our 27th national president (1992-94) and a significant leader in Sigma Tau Gamma at both the local and national levels for 36 years.

Charlie was a professor of English and Theater Arts at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he served Beta Omega Chapter as faculty advisor. He was initiated into alumni membership in 1979. In 1984 he became regional director of the Three Rivers Region, serving until 1988, when he was elected to the national Board of Directors. He was elected president-elect in 1990 and served as national president from August 1992 to August 1994. He continued to serve on the Board as a past president until August 1998.

Charlie was honored with the “Prof.” Grubbs Distinguished Advisor Award in 1986 and the Winebrenner Medal for Distinguished Fraternity Service in 1987. He was a Prominent Morris Fellow in the Wilson C. Morris Fellowship of the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation.

Charlie authored the Fraternity Scholarship Manual. He frequently conducted scholarship seminars at regional and national Fraternity conventions and workshops. He also contributed a significant addendum to the Fraternity Ritual that explained esoteric Greek references in terms easily understood by contemporary members.

Charlie was a mentor to both students and alumni of Sigma Tau Gamma. John Heiman, Central Missouri ’84, our 32nd national president, recalled his many conversations with Charlie, saying

In many ways he was our generation’s Ralph Bedell – the wisest man in the room.

Charlie was the son of John Marr, Sr. and Marjorie Knepper Marr, who predeceased their son. He earned his B. A. degree from St. Vincent College of Latrobe, PA, graduating Cum Laude. He earned his M. A. degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a member of Pi Kappa Delta debate honorary and coached the debate team at Edinboro.

Charlie was a lifelong Episcopalian and active in the faith. He was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Waterford, PA, and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Inverness, FL.

Charlie was a member of the Eagles Club in Inverness, FL. He was also a member of the Moose Club in Florida and an affiliate member of the American Legion, Erie, PA.

Brother Marr is survived by his beloved wife Debra Aulenbacher Marr of Cambridge Springs, PA and Florida, three sons, Donald, James, and Timothy Johnson, and one grandson, Donald Johnson. Further surviving are a sister Lucinda Marr of Allentown, PA, brother John Marr Jr. (Venessa) of Duncansville, PA. Brother- in-laws George Aulenbacher and friend of Erie, PA., William (Janet) Aulenbacher of Northeast, PA. Mark (Judy) Aulenbacher, of Northeast, PA. and a host of nieces and nephews. One brother in law, Harry Aulenbacher (Rosie), predeceased him.

The flags were lowered at Sigma Tau Gamma Headquarters in Warrensburg, Missouri for seven days following the announcement of Charlie’s passing.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made in brother Marr’s honor to the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation, Inc., 101 Ming Street, Warrensburg, MO. 64093 or Click Here.

A memorial service will be conducted in Edinboro, but the date has not yet been set. When additional information about the service is available it will be posted to the Sigma Tau Gamma website.

Memorial Service Update (06/3/2015)
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 13, at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
100 East 3rd St
Waterford, Pennsylvania, 16441
at 2:00 pm EDT.
Following the service there will be a gathering at the Edinboro Hotel.

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Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity was founded by veterans of World War I in Warrensburg, Missouri at the University of Central Missouri. On June 28, 2020 it will commemorate its 100th Anniversary. Today, there are more than 3,000 undergraduate members on 70 college/university campuses in 24 states. There are 58,560 living alumni. The Fraternity is headquartered 60 miles east of downtown Kansas City, Missouri in Warrensburg. Learn more about the fraternity online at sigmataugamma.org.