Obituary for Charles William Aurand
Charles William Aurand was born on September 27th, 1923, in Wheeling, WV, and died June 1, 2018 in Gettysburg, PA. He was the son of Maude Nicholas Fahs Aurand and Rev. Charles Greenough Aurand, who, at the time, served as pastor of First English Lutheran Church in Wheeling, WV, where young Charles was baptized. He married Elinor Ann Tyson of Meyerstown, PA, on October 8, 1949 at the Chapel of the Abiding Presence at Gettysburg Seminary in Gettysburg, PA. He is predeceased by his wife. He is survived by his sister, Maude Elisabeth McDaniel, of Cumberland MD and a brother, John Michael Aurand, of Wyomissing, PA. Children are Charles T. (Beverly) Aurand of Newberry, South Carolina, Anne Elisabeth (David Keating) of Williamsport, PA, and Susan (John) Burgess of Plano, TX. He had four grandchildren, Hannah and Lydia Aurand, and Christopher and Lauren Burgess, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College in 1944 and a Bachelor (Masters) of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary) in October of 1946. His first call was to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hanover, PA as an Assistant Pastor/Minister of Music. He remained there until 1949, when he took a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Sunbury, PA. His third call, in 1955, was to the parish of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lilly, PA and St. John Lutheran Church in Gallitzin, PA. In 1958, Charles took a fourth and final call to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Huntington, WV, where he was pastor from 1958-1994. During this time he earned a Master's degree in history from Marshall University, Huntington, WV, and taught there in both the history and religious studies departments as an adjunct professor. He also served as the Lutheran Campus Pastor at Marshall. He continued teaching there until 2006, when he and Elinor moved to the Spiritrust Lutheran community in Gettysburg, PA.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He inspired his children and grandchildren to love music, nature, history and the Christian faith. He and Elinor traveled extensively, including family camping trips throughout North America; they later traveled as a couple throughout Europe. Charles made many lifelong friendships serving as a pastor and professor, and through his work with summer church camping. He was involved in his community and supported the arts. He is remembered as a rail enthusiast, having built a number of model railroad layouts; he also belonged to numerous railroad clubs, including the Collis P. Huntington Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society, of which he was a charter member. For many years he narrated stories while traveling aboard trains through the New River Gorge in WV (Goldenseal Magazine, Winter 2008). He was an avid musician, photographer, stamp collector and had an extensive library of both books and musical recordings; for several decades he served as treasurer of the West Virginia Historical Society.
A service of Christian burial will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, PA, at 12:15 PM on Saturday, June 9th, with Pastor Stephen Herr presiding. Visitation hours with the family begin at 11:30 AM, prior to the service. The Monahan Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements and online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 725 12th Ave., Huntington, WV 25701, Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, PA 17325 or to the Aurand Music Fund at United Lutheran Seminary, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
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He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College in 1944 and a Bachelor (Masters) of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary) in October of 1946. His first call was to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hanover, PA as an Assistant Pastor/Minister of Music. He remained there until 1949, when he took a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Sunbury, PA. His third call, in 1955, was to the parish of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lilly, PA and St. John Lutheran Church in Gallitzin, PA. In 1958, Charles took a fourth and final call to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Huntington, WV, where he was pastor from 1958-1994. During this time he earned a Master's degree in history from Marshall University, Huntington, WV, and taught there in both the history and religious studies departments as an adjunct professor. He also served as the Lutheran Campus Pastor at Marshall. He continued teaching there until 2006, when he and Elinor moved to the Spiritrust Lutheran community in Gettysburg, PA.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He inspired his children and grandchildren to love music, nature, history and the Christian faith. He and Elinor traveled extensively, including family camping trips throughout North America; they later traveled as a couple throughout Europe. Charles made many lifelong friendships serving as a pastor and professor, and through his work with summer church camping. He was involved in his community and supported the arts. He is remembered as a rail enthusiast, having built a number of model railroad layouts; he also belonged to numerous railroad clubs, including the Collis P. Huntington Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society, of which he was a charter member. For many years he narrated stories while traveling aboard trains through the New River Gorge in WV (Goldenseal Magazine, Winter 2008). He was an avid musician, photographer, stamp collector and had an extensive library of both books and musical recordings; for several decades he served as treasurer of the West Virginia Historical Society.
A service of Christian burial will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, PA, at 12:15 PM on Saturday, June 9th, with Pastor Stephen Herr presiding. Visitation hours with the family begin at 11:30 AM, prior to the service. The Monahan Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements and online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 725 12th Ave., Huntington, WV 25701, Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, PA 17325 or to the Aurand Music Fund at United Lutheran Seminary, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
9
Jun
11:30 AM
- 12:15 PM
Christ Lutheran Church
30 Chambersburg Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Service
Saturday
9
Jun
12:15 PM
Christ Lutheran Church
30 Chambersburg Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Cemetery Details
Location
Evergreen Cemetery
799 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
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